Catania

It was Saturday morning so markets would be running. The first one I attended was the Fera O'Luni which is a produce and flea market near the Piazza Carlo Alberto di Savoia.

We're in the used goods section. I saw some old Italian popular music CDs but nothing of interest to me.

I'll let the pictures speak for themselves.

The produce section.

The market blends into the neighbouring Mercato del Carmine.

On a side street I found an elevated walkway to take this view of the market stalls near the Bellini parking station.

A few minutes walk and I was on the mostly pedestrian Via Etnea, named after the volcano that overlooks Catania.

From the coordinates that building is probably Chiesa di San Michele Arcangelo ai Minoriti. The other buildings house upmarket stores.

This is the Basilica della Collegiata.

Close by is the Piazza Università, part of the oldest university in Sicily.

The modern blue elephant is a landmark that indicates we are at the plaza with…

the Palazzo degli Elefanti.

Upmarket restaurant there.

This is an older elephant bearing an obelisk at the Elephant Fountain. It's the emblem of the city of Catania.

This is the duomo of the Piazza del Duomo, the main city square of Catania.

This is the Fontana dell’Amenano, after the river.

It's by the side of a lane that leads to…

the Catania Fish Market. It's noisy and wet underfoot, but absolutely authentic as it has been here for centuries.

An elevated view of the same section.

I walked through the interior which was wet and squishy as you'd expect and reached the other side of the market.

This vendor is selling roasted stuffed artichokes. Yes, it's a thing, see this feature article.

A shellfish stall.

Scirocco is supposed to have delicious takeaway but they said they weren't serving yet and to come back later.

So I took a northwards walk up Via Etnea, passing the sights I've already presented until I reached Piazza Stesicoro. Next to it are the ruins of the Roman Amphitheatre of Catania from about 2nd century BCE.

What remains of the entrance.

A bit further on is the Bellini Garden. It's a welcome green space in Catania.

There is an upper level, Parco Maestranze, with a good view.

There is a bandstand and a large open area.

But even better, there is a view to Mount Etna, about 28 km away. Obviously I had to use the telephoto setting of my prosumer camera to get these shots.

It's a constantly active volcano, that's why you see the plume of gases. I suppose it's good that it's venting and not silently building up pressure.

Adventure tours of it are offered. The volcano is probably monitored within an inch of its life and you'd get plenty of warning. However when it erupts ash and rock does fall in the Catania area, and the airport has been shut down, so people have to live with it. But along with the danger comes a agricultural bounty in the form of rich volcanic soil. The dark volcanic rock is also used for paving in Catania.

It was now time to get back to Scirocco for my meal of seafood croquettes. I took them to the nearby piazza. They were pretty tasty.

I caught the metro back to my lodgings to call it a day.