Piazza Carlo Alberto

Culture, Monuments, Tipical places
Piazza Carlo Alberto - 95131 Catania

    If you love typical markets, than the fair of Carlo Alberto square ("a fera") will satisfy your expectation.

    Piazza Carlo Alberto takes its name from the Piedmontese King of the nineteenth century. It is located in the historical center of Catania, between Villa Bellini, Via Umberto and Corso Sicilia.

    The square, in baroque style, is bordered by the picturesque Church of the Madonna of Carmelo and the subterranean Church of St. Gaetano alle grotte, one of the most fascinating places of Catania. The square is famous because every day there is a market, popularly known as the “Fera o ‘Luni”.

    There are several hypothesis about the meaning of this nameSources believe it derives from the presence of an ancient temple dedicated to the Roman goddess Luna (Diana), or – because of the masculine article in the name – others believe that the temple was dedicated to the Assyrian-Babylonian god Luni. However, none of these hypothesis has ever had an historical feedback; therefore the most plausible hypothesis is considered that one according to which the popular market in the past was taking place only on Monday, and this would have originated the name “Fera o’Luni” (“Monday fair”).

    Along with “Pescheria” (typical fish market in the Duomo square), the “Fera o ‘Luni” is one of the oldest and characteristic markets of the city, where besides fruit, vegetables and fish you can also find stalls with new and used clothing and local handicrafts. Furthermore there on Sundays takes place a picturesque flea market.