Visiting A`Piscaria of Catania is
something unique and extremely fascinating,
a local emblem narrating over two centuries of a bustling Sicilian outdoor fishmarket, a great highlight of that marvellous and sunny city kissed by the Mediterranean Ionian Sea and dominated on another side by the majestic Volcano Etna still active which destroyed with its eruptions in several occasions that jewel of the ancient Magna Graecia founded by Hellenic colonists many centuries ago and in that iconic place you will live a special and exciting experience.
a local emblem narrating over two centuries of a bustling Sicilian outdoor fishmarket, a great highlight of that marvellous and sunny city kissed by the Mediterranean Ionian Sea and dominated on another side by the majestic Volcano Etna still active which destroyed with its eruptions in several occasions that jewel of the ancient Magna Graecia founded by Hellenic colonists many centuries ago and in that iconic place you will live a special and exciting experience.
A notorious song by Giuseppe Castiglia,
a famous songwriter dedicated one of his works to that enchanting big municipality of Sicily titled Che Bedda Catania which translated means how is
beautiful Catania, that melody contains some lyrics which totally represent
the history, profile and soul of the second centre of that Region behind Palermo.
Catania Figghiozza du Patre Eternu is a phrase which appears in that
work and those words translated are Catania is daughter of God, all that is perfectly
identified in the local historic stages when the Etna lava buried numerous
times the old Katane as was called by the notorious philosopher and historian Plutarch. Despite those sad events that city has always found a renaissance how to reborn as a miracle
and to be so beautiful than ever with its emblematic landmarks which continue
to shine as before or probably more.
Catania undoubtedly has thousand lives, if it was since many centuries ago a shimmering gem of the Greek civilisation in the times of the emblematic Megale Hellas and later outstanding centre during the period linked to the Roman Empire conserving relevant architectural masterpieces and rests
of those ancient colonists today it is a diamond of Baroque Art
declared a World Heritage site by UNESCO with other centres of Sicily. (I
wrote an extensive post about that city in the case you want to know some
information more)
That iconic fish market established on the soil of that superb centre has in its kind some
common affinities to all that. Since its inception it had not not an easy start due some difficulties in
determined periods generated by rulers who never gave it a notable relevance, times closely linked to economic crisis, the escalation of new other emergent related to fishing
activities in more recent times but despite it has always been able to survive and
including to grow up while others have closed or extremely reduced their size and
business.
A`Piscaria during its history won many adversities and it enlarged
its capacity with a big number of new stalls with an affluence year by year in constant
increasing and it is more vivacious and animated than ever all year and
also for that it could be considered an icon.
Many are the local symbols, apart the imposing Volcano Etna
and the Ionian Sea absolutely wonderful at that latitude which strongly compete for the podium in a ranking in terms of
attractions with other great monuments such as U Liotru, the statue of the Elephant, Ursino
Castle, Bellini Theatre and House, Sant´Agata Cathedral and the Greek ruins among others.
Despite that next to all those architectural and monumental
beauties there is also that market, an emblem because in its kind it is a masterpiece not projected, designed and made by famed architects or great artists but by ordinary people, a place which
thanks to its eternally bustling and vibrant atmosphere, fresh, delicious sea products which conquered and
conquer everybody.
Glorious Hellenic stronghold,
bewitching the Romans for its beauty, birthplace of the great composer
Vincenzo Bellini, and eminent historic character linked to the most sublime
Opera who delighted with his music the globe and in the case that divine musician was a folk
author he could certainly invent something related to A´Piscaria.
The squares, streets and beaches of that sunny
Italian city are superb marvels but also that site related to fishing
sale providing delights which satisfy the most exigent palates is so
captivating and around it you will breathe the truest feelings of the city´s
life.
But what is A´Piscaria ? The answer could be
many things such as the soul of a busy fisheries industry with an identity extremely rooted, a superb
protagonist of a notable commercial business, an eternal reality arouse and alive
which will never die and something which born with the efforts of the locals
without financial supports.
In addition it historically lived over two centuries linked
to different monarchies such the Bourbons and the Savoy Royal Houses, a
Republic and also with the new Italy established in 1861. If we can find a full reply, that local
distinctive icon is Catania identifying its distinguished spirit we could say never tired
to live, showing all its vibrant and lively atmosphere every time it takes
place, an colourful reality and daughter of a secular tradition.
Its history is more than attractive and
captivating since its inception when it was established in the early 19th century,
exactly in 1814 in an area corresponding to the medieval walls which
encircled the city also called Walls of Charles V to pay homage to that figure who was Duke of Burgundy, ruler of The Netherlands and Spain and Holy Emperor in the 16th century.
The Spanish rulers during the times of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies permitted
the fishermen and sellers its development with a veiled indifference. The
creation of that activity at the border of the historic monumental centre
was for them something to keep people very active and busy in a silent movement of
hard workers which could bring a business to the Royal House.
All that was managed by local families related to the former
fisheries born along the Catania coastline to give the city its own big market place, ideal site to start to operate and have a revenue.
A`Piscaria is totally 100% Catanese established and developed generation by
generation by native citizens and also for that it is an authentic local pride born and bred in the shade of the Volcano Etna.
In addition worth a special mention that A´Piscaria never had economic helps, economic supports by the rulers; the Spaniards dictated only a condition which was that to arrange that market in a limited and specific area, no further or additional branches, no projects or ideas of prolongations or other further requests.
In addition worth a special mention that A´Piscaria never had economic helps, economic supports by the rulers; the Spaniards dictated only a condition which was that to arrange that market in a limited and specific area, no further or additional branches, no projects or ideas of prolongations or other further requests.
Its position in the urban setting despite those strict former
limitations is excellent, close to the busy square Piazza Alonzo di Benedetto
and just behind the famous Fontana dell´Anemano, a beautiful masterpiece consisting in a magnificent monumental
fountain made by the Neapolitan master Tito Angelini in 1867 that all the citizens call Acqua e linzolu, the water and sheet for
the water descending forming an image which from a perspective appears similar in shape to a sort of transparent sheet.
Situated in the vicinity of Piazza Pardo
another municipal focal point and the road which directly leads to the Marina next to
one of its historic gates, the famed Porta Uzeda which since ancient times it
was one of the main accesses to the centre and Via Dusmet a street so famous
for its seven arches. In that area in addition you are also just two steps from the
bustling boulevard Via Garibaldi one of the liveliest local arteries with the
notorious Via Etnea.
You will notice furthermore that the fish market is
enclosed in the city heart just 250, 0 metres south west of the
Cathedral, approximately 100, 0 metres of the Giardini Pacini gardens and about
350, 0 metres from the iconic Ursino Castle and at the same distance there are
the banks of the harbour facing the Mediterranean.
All that explain you in which concrete
point t A´Piscaria was established and that space is practically corresponds to a a section of the core in
which the first Hellenic colonists developed the plan of the former Polis in
proximity of the cardus and decumanus, the main axes of the city setting
created by the Romans as beating centre of their social and political life.
Another relevant detail is that the surface is just 5,5 meters above the sea level, all that because that space was totally
rebuilt after the eruption of the Etna which destroyed the city in the 17th
century exactly in the year 1669.
That emblematic, colourful and lively Sicilian
outdoor fish market is deeply bonded in the local cultural life and all people
who decide to visit Catania can not forget A`Piscaria because it is like to miss a part
of its history. It has always been a major centre linked to Tonnare and Spadare
respectively Tuna and Swordfish fishing considered since their development among the best in the world for how
they are organised.
The local fishermen depart from that Oriental coast
of Sicily and with a secular tradition born a long time ago they reach during their trips geographic
maritime spaces not far from the coasts of Libya, Greece, Egypt, Malta and Tunisia and all that since over centuries ago.
Long navigations with all the risks of all
what the high sea involves and after those operations they return to the mainland with
a very high quality of catch which is sold in the markets as that one which is
one the most important of the island serving several renowned Restaurants, Hotels and a multitude of ordinary customers all them extremely satisfied in terms of quality and price.
All the operations on the ground are perfectly
planned because when the boasts are moored on the local banks the vendors are there waiting
for and the distance to reach the stalls are just some hundreds metres away.
The products before to reach A´Piscaria is meticulously controlled and checked by experts and after that it is
transported to the market permitting a customer to buy those delights every
early morning.
Thanks to all that great coordinate great work with superb protagonist men constantly
facing that maritime harsh life with all its pitfalls, so many people can enjoy
and taste among the best food the Mediterranean offers.
Unique in its kind in Sicily compared in some cases to the other
famous market called Vucciria which takes place in Palermo, they different
one from other, both fascinating, both not be missed when you are planning to
visit that beautiful island.
Another relevant detail part of the history and
culture of A´Piscaria is that the tuna, swordfish, shrimp clams, mussels, octopus and
everything which offers that site is unique. The catch exposed there comes from
places in which the Mediterranean has a total absence of pollution and
contamination so 100% healthy and uncontaminated.
All the workers network perfectly know what is
the best to satisfy the most demanding requests and there is also a sort of
ethical code to delight the clients, the vendors are extremely sensitive to the continuation of
a history with an image to defend and preserve serving a large clientele,
among them several loyal customers including catering
establishments of prestige.
Healthy products and eating well with the satisfaction to
see people returning extremely happy is part of the business but also personal satisfaction, the clients know they are in the hands of great
people and that is another aspect of relevance which continues to elevate A´Piscaria a more than appreciate site boasting a very high reputation.
You will never find there closed mussels,
anchovies or blue fish with sunken eyes or the ward off, no strange tonalities
of the skin, the colour of the shrimp of that place does not fades into.The Swordfish is among the best you can find in
the entire Mediterranean basin so visible at the first cut. Looking at the
quality of its pulp and meat you will immediately see how it is healthy just
like during the cutting of a section of the best tuna sold which is never too
dark.
Octopus and crab alive are also superb details
which immediately attract who are looking for something of extremely great just like the supreme prawns immediately ready to prepare a delicious sauce or cocktails
rich in taste and highly guaranteed.
The professionalism is a highlight and you
will see in that bustling market also fish of small size which is alive on the stalls.
All that assures and convinces all the clients who decide to buy superb delights in the
city and A`Piscaria is in that without equals.
Those over two centuries of history have crown that place as a King, someone consider it as a lively monument and icon, the sellers are authentic masters, if you want they cut the fish as you prefer
in terms of sections, strings and slices and with a simple incision the fish
bone is extracted if someone desires that.
They do all that with experience, passion and
art and another detail always greatly appreciated is that if you need suggestions they will advise you what is the
best offer to prepare a seafood soup, a prawn and mussel salad, a marinated starter or a mixed
fritto misto, an exquisite mixed fried fish.
All that is the result of generations of
families who have made history, from Giuseppe to Tonino, from Franco to Mario
all them know the fish as a mechanic knows the engine of a car or an IT
engineer knows software and computing devices and that is also the great secret
and success of the famed A´ Piscaria.
Someone says that to enjoy a day in that
bustling Sicilian outdoor fish market is just like to be in a Souk.In that picturesque, vibrant
and lively atmosphere what most attracts the attention of the people who visit
it for the first time that market place are the screams of the vendors and they do not
understand why or for which reason they do that.
The sellers simply use colourful expressions in Siculo,
the Sicilian dialect and that shouting is simply to attract the visitors
informing them that in their stalls there is the best swordfish or to come to
see and admire with your eyes a tuna which landed on the ground at 05 am in the
morning and transported there just some hours later.
Others call potential clients to check the superb
colour of a great octopus and to be in hurry before it will be sold in a while or for the last kilogrammes of fresh mussels ready to prepare a tastefully recipe.
That place is simple A`Piscaria, the same happens in Barcelona Athens, Naples,
Marseilles or Tunis, all them with different local realities but with the same aim and mission, that to satisfy daily the customers.
Undoubtedly that fish market is something
unique and for a tourist is a must, it lives six days a week and only Sunday
does not take place. The fascinating air all around is more than
captivating and don't be afraid regarding noise or for the blood of the fish coming
from the wooden and marble surfaces, all that is part of the daily life serving a myriad of people who later will enjoy a delicious plate.
A´Piscaria has always left in the eyes and
memories of every visitor indelible and unforgettable memories and for that it is
so special.In the case the stunning Catania is in your future holidays plans I added some links useful for your plans.
For its particular scenery that site also
entered in the most traditional and genuine local folklore, filmed in
documentaries video clips and DVD, promoted as landmark presented in a set of pictures by professional photographers, highlighted
in tourist magazines and described in different kind of press articles and reports.
Also the Film industry fell in love with A´Piscaria when the famous
German Director and filmmaker Margarethe Von Trotta selected it as set
for some scenes of the movie Anni di Piombo ,The years of Lead produced in 1981 and which won the prestigious Golden Lion the highest prize awarding
the winner of the Venice Film Festival.
If you are planning to visit Catania admiring its extraordinary
artistic and historic beauties, rich cultural life, an impressive scenery with
the imposing Volcano Etna ad its spectacular valley, wonderful beaches and
crystalline Ionian waters under a shining sun are all things which will delight
you and apart all that do not forget a visit enjoying A`Piscaria, an
experience you will remember with pleasure forever.
Francesco Mari
Useful links
www.comune.catania.it
www.siciliamia.net
lacuocagalante.com/a-piscaria-il-mercato-del-pesce-di-catania
www.siciliamia.net
lacuocagalante.com/a-piscaria-il-mercato-del-pesce-di-catania
