52 Reasons to Love Sicily | #13. Catania, Sicily’s Second City

There are dozens of outstanding restaurants (Catania is known for its culture of eating horse meat and famous for its recipe Pasta alla Norma.), an imposing castle (Ursino, now a museum hosting world-class exhibitions and a collection of ancient art), and a thriving live music scene. For me, touring the city’s World War II 1943…

The Complex Cathedral Of Messina, Sicily

The Cathedral of Messina and its renowned astronomical clock/bell tower are the highlight of a visit to this historic city in Sicily’s northeast corner. Having been subject to centuries of conquests, earthquakes, battles, and rebuilding, it’s history is complex. What we see today is the result of post World War II reconstruction. The fascinating clock…

Catania’s Elephant 

Two rivers meet under Catania’s Piazza del Duomo to feed the Fontana dell’Elefante, or the Elephant Fountain. Designed by G.B. Vaccarini in 1736, this focal point of the cathedral’s square possesses an ancient Roman-era statue of an elephant made from black lava stone holding an Egyptian obelisk that boasts hieroglyphics about the goddess Isis, and…