Catania and the Pescheria

One of the cultural treasures of Sicily are its historic markets. One of the island's most famous markets, apart from Palermo's Vucciria, is Catania's Pescheria, which, as its name suggests, is the city's fish market, but is actually much more than that: it is a cross-section of Catania's daily life. Let's discover it!

A market or a souk?
The peculiarity of Sicilian markets - and Catania's fish market is no exception - is their similarity to Arab souks. And Islamic domination, which has left its mark on Sicilian culture, suggests that this is not just a suggestion. A visit to the fish market is a new experience for the senses. The scent of the day's catch wafts through the air, as does the vuciata, the 'chorus' of cries from the vendors drawing the attention of the patrons to their stalls. So this lively market can be considered an open-air folk theatre, where you can watch and take part in the spectacle of authenticity and typicality. Not to be missed!

How to get to the Pescheria
To get to the Pescheria - or 'a Piscaria, as the Sicilians call it - just head towards the south-west corner of Piazza del Duomo, Catania's main square. Here stands the Amenano fountain from the 19th-century, dedicated to the river that flows beneath the city. As you reach it, the voices of the vendors will beckon and it will be easy to spot the market behind it. The stalls extend across Piazza Alonzo di Benedetto and Piazza Pardo and the surrounding streets, stretching as far as Porta di Carlo V. The market is held from Monday to Saturday until lunchtime. If you like to explore the city markets, you can also visit the Fera 'o Luni in Catania, held every day except Sunday in Piazza Carlo Alberto.