Palazzo degli Elefanti
Palazzo degli Elefanti (English: "Elephants Palace") is a historical building in Catania, Sicily, southern Italy. It currently houses the city's Town Hall.
The palace, located on the northern side of the Cathedral square, was begun in 1696 after the devastating earthquake of 1693, its original designed having been commissioned to Giovan Battista Longobardo. The eastern, southern, and western façades were however designed at a later stage by Giovan Battista Vaccarini, while the northern one was by Carmelo Battaglia. The staircase opening to the inner court with four porticoes was added in the late 18th century by Stefano Ittar. In the second floor are paintings by the Sicilian artist Giuseppe Sciuti.
In 1736 Vaccarini erected a statue of an elephant carrying an obelisk in front of the Palazzo. It was probably inspired by Bernini's 1667 Elephant and Obelisk in Rome.
Sources
- Vittorio Consoli, ed. (1987). Enciclopedia di Catania. Catania: Tringale.