Elephant Fountain, Baroque fountain in Piazza del Duomo, Catania, Italy
The Fontana dell'Elefante features a black basalt elephant carrying an Egyptian granite obelisk, decorated with marble sculptures of two local rivers.
Giovanni Battista Vaccarini created this fountain between 1735 and 1737 during the reconstruction of Catania after the devastating 1693 earthquake.
The elephant statue, known as u Liotru, represents the official symbol of Catania since 1239 and appears on the city's coat of arms.
The fountain stands in the center of Piazza del Duomo, with steps at its base where visitors can sit and observe the monument.
During Islamic rule, Catania was called Medinat-el-fil, meaning city of the elephant, indicating the long-standing connection between the city and this animal.
Location: Catania
Inception: 1736
Architects: Giovanni Battista Vaccarini
Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible
GPS coordinates: 37.50250,15.08708
Latest update: May 27, 2025 06:54
These fountains display Italian craftsmanship from the 15th to 19th centuries. Made of marble, bronze, or stone, they depict mythological figures, religious scenes, and historical events. Each fountain connects to the local history of its city.
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Fontana dell'Amenano
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Palazzo degli Elefanti
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Chiesa della Badia di Sant'Agata
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Basilica della Collegiata
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Terme Achilliane
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Porta Uzeda
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Piscaria
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San Francesco all'Immacolata
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Palazzo del Seminario dei Chierici
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Museo Belliniano
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Palazzo dell'Università
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Terme dell'Indirizzo
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Palazzo San Giuliano, Catania
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Villa Pacini
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Diocesan museum (Catania)
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Emilio Greco Museum
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Palazzo Gravina Cruyllas
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San Martino dei Bianchi
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Museo arte contemporanea Sicilia
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Pipe organ
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Arch of San Giovanni
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Palazzo Gioeni Asmundo
177 m
Santa Maria dell'Indirizzo, Catania
171 m
Negozio Frigeri
195 m
Museo Vincenzo Bellini
235 m
Terme Achilliane
60 m
Palazzo Auteri
252 mReviews
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