Piscaria

Piscaria is a fish market in central Catania where vendors display their fresh catches from the Mediterranean Sea on stone counters next to Piazza del Duomo. The space is tight and active, with stalls filled with all kinds of seafood.

The market emerged in 1693 after a major earthquake devastated Catania and the city had to rebuild. It was then established at its current location next to the sixteenth-century city walls.

The vendors here follow time-honored traditions in how they prepare and sell fish, particularly swordfish, with daily negotiations between buyers and sellers shaping the rhythm of the space. These practices are deeply woven into local life and show how central seafood remains to the city's culture.

Visit early in the morning when the selection is largest and the goods are freshest. The space is tight, so expect crowds and wear comfortable shoes.

A distinctive feature is the vanniate, an old tradition where vendors loudly announce their products in Sicilian dialect, filling the market with their voices. This vocal selling has become its own part of the market culture.