The nearby coast of Aci Trezza is characterized by its tumbled black lava and the rocks of Cyclops, according to the Odyssey, supposed to been hurled at Ulysses when he escaped from Polyphemus.
The presence of Etna, both beautiful and sinister, must have some fatalistic effect on the character of the inhabitants of Catania, though it seems to be taken cheerfully for granted. In the old center it has many grand and important Baroque buildings made out of dark grey lava. In the middle of the Piazza del Duomo is the symbol of the city: the much loved fountain with its black elephant.
The road to the village of Castelmola winds serpent-like to the medieval town, where there is yet another marvellous view. The village is perched on its ridge facing the bay of Naxos with its picturesque fortress on top of a crag. The streets are narrow, the houses often decorated with flowers or entwined with vines. The Panorama is superb.
