The elephant, or “Lu diotru” or “Liotru” as the people of Catania call it, is the symbol of the city, positioned below the obelisk in the middle of the square. It was probably built in the Byzantine era and placed outside the city walls.
Under the rule of Frederick II, Holy Roman Emperor, it was placed in the ancient Platea Magna, the old Piazza Duomo, and became the coat of arms of Catania. It was damaged by the earthquake of 1693: it lost its trunk and its legs broke, but under the watchful eye of Vaccarini they were rebuilt and so “Lu diotru” returned as good as new to the centre of the square.
