Piazza del Duomo & Elephant Fountain, Catania
Piazza del Duomo / Fontana dell'Elefante
In the heart of Catania, a lava-stone elephant bears an Egyptian obelisk on its back, with the baroque Cathedral of Sant’Agata rising behind it; the city’s historic center is part of the Val di Noto UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Catania is Sicily’s second-largest city. After the devastating earthquake of 1693, it was rebuilt as a baroque city using black lava stone and white limestone, and it is part of the Val di Noto UNESCO World Heritage Site. At the center of Piazza del Duomo stands the Elephant Fountain, designed by Vaccarini. The lava-stone elephant, known locally as “Liotru,” carries an Egyptian obelisk on its back and is the city’s symbol. The Cathedral of Sant’Agata has a richly decorated facade, and inside lies the tomb of the composer Bellini. From the square, the main street, Via Etnea, runs north, and on clear days you can see the volcano at its far end. Catania Airport is the gateway to eastern Sicily and is about a 1-hour drive from Taormina.
Opening hours
Open all day (church about 7:00 am–12:00 pm, 4:00–7:00 pm)
Nearby sights
- Terme Achilliane
- La Pescheria, Catania
- Badia di Sant'Agata
- Museo Civico Belliniano
- Via Etnea
- Palazzo Biscari
- Teatro Massimo Bellini
- Via dei Crociferi