The Fish Market, known as Piscaria is crowded every day with people from different countries and culture and is animated by the shouting of the sellers who create a very suggestive atmosphere recalling the Arab casbah.
Desks are full of many species of fish and visitors can breathe their scents and enjoy their colors, for an authentic experience through the folklore and traditions of an ancient people; exploring the market is part of the advised city tour.
Since the early nineteenth century, the Fish Market is located in a picturesque tunnel of the sixteenth century, across the Palace of the Seminary of the Clerics and the walls of Charles V.
The market of Piazza Carlo Alberto is commonly known as Fera 'o Luni, which probably comes from Lunedì (Monday) as it was the opening day of the market, or from Luna (Moon), since in ancient times the square was the setting of a temple dedicated to the Roman goddess of the moon. According to a reasearch of 1969, it is also related to the Assyrian-Babylonian god Luni.
The Market dates back to the Middle Ages, when it was set up in the square in front of the chapel of Santa Maria dell'Elemosina; yet after the terrible earthquake in Val di Noto, in 1693, it was moved to a smaller place, among the Baroque buildings of Piazza dell’Università.
The market was moved again in 1832 to the current location at Piazza Carlo Alberto and today it is a meeting point for Italian, Chinese and African sellers.
A visit to Catania cannot be complete without experiencing the authentic historical markets.
