Catania's Famous Fish Market

"La Pescheria"
 

 


Catania's renowned fish market is a sight to be seen when traveling in Sicily.

As a matter of fact, it's a MUST SEE!

Surrounded by Baroque style architecture, this historical gem is located in the heart of Catania; just a stone's throw away from the city's Cathedral, along the Ionian Sea.

The Fontana dell'Amenano stands off in a corner of Catania’s Piazza del Duomo. You'll find the Fish Market almost hidden just behind the fountain. The center figure seems to be standing guard to the action in the arena of fish mongers down below. The fountain, sculpted by Tito Angelini in 1867, gets it's water and owes it's name to the river that runs underneath the city.

A fish monger displays his catch of the day,
along with a head of a fish, placed there as "proof" that this is,
indeed, a "Pesce Spada" (Swordfish).

The Sicilian men are intense and very serious about their fish.

 

Some of the fish look as if to say,
"You don't really want me. Take the squishy guy over there!"

~


This particular fish monger caught my eye.
I stood there, jaw dropped open, mesmerized for what seems like forever...staring at...

...his cigarette.

This man with his cleaver was a real pro.
A confident master at the art of cutting up fish while smoking.

Until it dropped.

The ash took a swan dive onto the fish below!

At the end of the day it is as if this activity, with it's intense smells, colors
and personalities, vanished into thin air. Like it just packed up and drove off as would a traveling magician in a roadside wagon.