Sicily, the Mediterranean’s largest island

U Liotru, Catania

The Elephant Fountain on Duomo Square is the symbol of Catania. It was built in 1736 by Giovanni Battista Vaccarini and portrays an ancient lava stone elephant, with an Egyptian obelisk on its back. Its Sicilian name “u Liotru” refers to Heliodorus, an nobleman who, after trying without success to become bishop of the city, became a sorcerer and was therefore condemned in 778 to burn at the stake. It is possible that the elephant of Catania was a magical statue, built in Byzantine times, just to keep Catania safe from the Etna volcano.

Photo by Ludo Kuipers, Sun Oct 09, 1994
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