The bustling Catania market in Sicily moves an astonishing volume of fish, produce, and meat, but for me the real spectacle is the people. These markets are unimaginably old; fishmongers have been selling in Catania since at least Roman times, if not earlier. The current location, tucked behind the fountain near the main square, is only about a century and a half old because the market has shifted around the city over its long history. In its present form—with fish being butchered in full view, boisterous vendors calling out, and the activity focused in a sunken pit—it carries forward a tradition woven through Sicilian history, feeling at once utterly contemporary and stubbornly traditional.
At first, I hesitated to descend into the pit, but I am glad I did. Beth ventured down as well and bought swordfish for our dinner. As you can see, women appear here only as customers, though they, too, often command the space with large, forceful personalities.
Wonderful photographs, but I could feel myself edging towards vegetarianism after looking at all those fish. I felt neither the people nor the market itself had changed much since medieval times.
Wow, what an amazing place, and what marvellous photographs of it. I think you’re really in your element in a place like that. And it makes me want to have fish for dinner!
Fantastic people shots! And those eels!
Jonathan. I have really enjoyed reading your posts and the photos are wonderful. You (as usual) have captured the feeling of the people and place. I was recently in a marketplace in Copenhagen. It was nothing like this. It had beautiful products but everything was pretty tame in comparison.
All the eyes. People and fish. And the color of those eels. Mylar’s got nothing on these silver creatures. Amazing. Thank you, Jonathan!
Great photos! What a lively, wonderful place!