... Pretty view of Catania’s City Hall, housed in the historic Palace of the Elephants (Palazzo degli Elefanti)... a testament to the resilience and grandeur of this Baroque city that stands proudly against the backdrop of the majestic Mount Etna... mostly known as “the Black City” due to the dark grey or black lava stone used in its buildings... at the center you’ll spot the elegant Elephant Fountain with an obelisk type structure on top of it... an iconic city symbol that graces the square... the black elephant is made of lava from Mount Etna and dates back to Roman times... Thanks Mario!【ツ】
Photo: Mario Tornatore
Constructed in 1696 following the devastating earthquake of 1693 which almost destroyed the entire city. The building showcases a quadrangular design centered around a grand courtyard, flanked by porticoes on two sides. It has an entrance atrium on each of the four façades to underline its open nature and the concept of service to the community. The building was damaged in the 1944 uprising, rebuilt and became the Town Hall in 1953. It takes its name from the many elephants incorporated in the walls as a design feature.
According to an old legend, during the Upper Paleolithic Times, a dwarfed elephant lived in Sicily. This elephant protected the first population of Catania from all fierce and dangerous animals. People from Catania erected a statue in honour of this elephant. They called it u Liotru.
The Late Baroque Towns of the Val di Noto are listed as a UNESCO WHS site in 2002.
The 20th Anniversary of European Coal and Steel Community
(Issued 28-04-1971)
The 200th Anniversary of the F.I.G.C. - Italy National Football Team
(Issued 19-07-2018)
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