Fountain of the Elephant
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What people say
Petra Hus
Available for hire
"Some claim that flocks of dwarf elephants once roamed the foot of Mount Etna. Others say the legend comes from the 8th-century wizard Eliodoro, who could either transform into an elephant or magically shape one from clay to travel between Catania and Constantinople. Some argue the elephant symbolizes Catania's victory over Libya, with the city known as "Elephant Town" during the Arab occupation. Another belief is that the elephant myth originated from an ancient circus, and since the 1200s, Catania's residents have viewed elephants as good luck charms, protecting them from Mount Etna's eruptions."
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Andrea Rizzo
Available for hire
"Legend has it that many many years ago, Sicily was inhabited by small elephants and one of those send away wild animals allowing humans to found what is now Catania. As a gesture of gratitude, this statue was made.
Catanese people refer to this statue as "u' Liotru" which (according to a legend) comes from Eliodoro. This man tried to become bishop of Catania, but failed. So he decided to become a magician and it is said that it was him who built the elephant and he used to ride on it when traveling to Costantinople."
Barbora Šedivá
Available for hire
"In Sicily, an elephant is the symbol of protection from the volcano's eruptions. That's why it also occupies the center of the main plaza in Catania. It's right next to the Cathedral so you can't miss it anyway."
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