A day in Catania for Marella Ferrera

Plunge yourself in the pescheria (fishmarket) among the fish stalls and big-voiced sellers trying to catch your attention. Every morning a new strong colour canvas where everybody has its role on the foreground. Aperitif at the bar down the square, along with “Sicilian sushi” spiced up, if you are lucky, by a friendly chat with the Wandering Cook Carmelo Chiaramonte, an habitué there. Then, spaghetti and “ricci” (sea urchins) or spaghetti “Antica Marina” with squid ink.

Lose yourself in the smell of hot ricotta and wild asparaguses while you peer at Frederick II’s mansion. Go back to the Civita, one of the oldes areas of the city and find out piazza Duca di Genova dressed up as “Flowere Civita” and visit Palazzo Biscari.

Not to miss the lunch break with an arancino with sauce at “Savia” or the “crispelle” with ricotta or anchovies at “Stella”, lying under the sun on the benches at the Bellini Garden, recentrly restored to its beauty.

Drink solda, salt and lemon at the famous “Giammona”, who invented this drink.

Pass by “Fecarotta”‘s windows, looking a precious souvenir.

An almond or a coffee granita with cream and brioche is good at any hour and in any season. One of this city’s symbols, something you should taste looking at the Opera House Massimo Bellini Theatre.

Bathing at San Giovanni Li Cuti, the castle at Aci Castello, the boat excursion from Aci Trezza to the Faraglioni, tasting a bit of “mauro” (sea grass) and oysters with lemon granita.

A moment of relax with a “salty” bath in the hamman swimming pool od the Baia Verde grand hotel: an unforgettable experience for your senses.

Catania by night, in black and white. After having a pizza at the Sale Art Cafè, you can walk without distractions, among the enlightened baroque building and the silent alleys. From Porta Ferdinandea to Piazza Duomo, from the alleys in San Berillo to via Crociferi, sitting on the “Alessi” stairs, waiting for dawn to eat a hot croissant at “l’Étoile”, to the sound of Carmen Consoli’s and Franco Battiato’s music…and arrivederci to next experience in Catania.

A tray of either cannolis with ricotta or biscuits with almonds or pistachios is a delight you cannot miss. A gift to take away, in a travel package!

Biography

Designer Marella Ferrera starts working in the atelier her parents have opened in Catania in 1958. “I was born among fabrics“, she says about herself. In 1993 she makes her debut in Rome on high fashion catwalks and is acclaimed as that year’s new talent. Her style is made of thoughts and images, sober lines which are at the same time “constructed”. The use of innovative materials such as lava stone, obsidian, terracotta, rock crystal, copper threads, papyrus-like paper, textile paper, cork, palm roots, has earned her name of “fashion experimenter”.

A careful and witty observer of habits and customs related to her land, Sicily, she takes from that unforgettable hints and suggestions. An idealist, as only a true artist can be, she’s the “designer who sews ceramics”. Malaysia, China, Japan, United States, Argentina, Venezuela, Paraguay, Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, South Africa and the most important European countries have admired her “unique” fashion designs in the recent years.

In Catania, on the 3rd of May 2008, on the 250th anniversary of its foundation, Marella reopens the Biscari Museum at Palazzo Biscari once visitated by Goethe and now called “MF Museum&Fashion” where she moves her Maison headquarters and her Historical Archive nowadays in exhibition.