"Acqua a linzolu" fountain in Catania

myminifactory

This merman is part of a fountain named “acqua a linzolu” or Amenano fountain in Catania. The Sicilian term acqua a linzolu literally translates into “water as a draped fabric”. The way the water falls down creates a waterfall which is as thin as a draped fabric, therefore the nickname. The fountain is one of the most famous monuments in the city of Catania, a city at the foot of volcano Etna. It can be appreciated in Piazza Duomo, just in front of the Elephant obelisk, symbol of the city. The fountain was originally built in 1867 by the Carrara marble specialist Tito Angelini. The water constantly comes down filling the shell shaped bowl situated at the base of the fountain. It then falls out as a waterfall and goes back to the Amenano river, the river flowing underneath the city. The water passes through a cornucopia held by a young man decorating the top part of the fountain. Two merman respectively standing on the right and left part of the fountain hold two seashells. The fountain is located in a strategic location in the heart of the city. Behind the fountain you can see a lava rock building which is famous for hosting the ancient fish market of Catania. The fountain is intersected between the corner of the building and the road taking you to the fish market.