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The Revolution in Sicily - the Cathedral and Square of the Elephant, Catania, 1860. Creator: Unknown
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The Revolution in Sicily - the Cathedral and Square of the Elephant, Catania, 1860. Creator: Unknown
The Revolution in Sicily - the Cathedral and Square of the Elephant, Catania, 1860. Catania, with its straight streets and white houses, has the appearance of a handsome modern town, notwithstanding its twenty-five centuries of existence. Among the most noteworthy of its buildings is the cathedral, a vast building, dedicated to Santa Agata. The front is ornamented with fine granite columns, taken from the theatre of the ancient city, and the sacristy is covered with frescoes representing the ravages of the eruption in 1669. In the square before it is a fountain [designed by Giovanni Battista Vaccarini], with an elephant made of lava, bearing on its back a small granite obelisk, terminated by a cross. The elephant was the ancient symbol of the Catanians, a fact which may account for the great dimensions of the statue and the excellence of the workmanship; but the hieroglyphics which are carved on the pedestal are illegible, and the story of its origin is lost. This extraordinary, rather than beautiful, fountain adornment stands in the centre of the square of the Elephant, formed by the townhall, seminary, and cathedral - an area superior in grandeur and extent to every other in Catania'. From "Illustrated London News", 1860
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Media ID 36349930
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Catania Catania Sicily Italy Expedition Of The Thousand Fountain Fountains Lava Risorgimento Square
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EDITORS COMMENTS
"This photograph captures the historic Cathedral and Square of the Elephant in Catania, Sicily during the year 1860. The cathedral, dedicated to Santa Agata, is a grandiose building with its front adorned with magnificent granite columns taken from the ancient city's theatre. The sacristy is further embellished with frescoes depicting the devastating eruption of 1669. In the square before it stands an impressive fountain, designed by Giovanni Battista Vaccarini, featuring a lava elephant bearing a small granite obelisk on its back, crowned with a cross. The elephant, an ancient symbol of the Catanians, is a testament to the town's rich history and the excellence of its craftsmanship. The hieroglyphics carved on the pedestal are illegible, and the origin of this extraordinary fountain adornment remains a mystery. The Square of the Elephant, formed by the town hall, seminary, and cathedral, is a grand and spacious area, unrivaled in Catania for its splendor and grandeur." This photograph, taken in 1860, offers a glimpse into the past, showcasing the beauty and history of Catania's most notable landmarks. The cathedral, with its ancient columns and vibrant frescoes, and the enigmatic elephant fountain in the Square of the Elephant, are a testament to the town's rich cultural heritage. Despite the passage of time, these structures continue to stand proudly, preserving the stories and traditions of Catania for generations to come.
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