The little elephant Tony, the real swans, and the kiosk that burned down in 2001: Villa Bellini in Catania

Hello, for those who may not know me, let me introduce myself: I am Villa Bellini, today the green heart of Catania and, once, the exclusive garden of Ignazio Paternò Castello, Prince of Biscari.

Unfortunately, after his death in 1786, his heirs let me fall into ruin until, in 1854, the Municipality of Catania purchased me from Anna Moncada Paternò Castello, deciding to make me the green lung of the city. It was not an easy task: between bureaucratic hurdles and the need to expropriate small private gardens nearby, it took years.

In 1858, thanks to funding from the Bourbon government, the architect Ignazio Landolina finally transformed me into a public villa. The surrounding lands were expropriated and in 1877 the works to unify the new sectors began, under the direction of architect Filadelfo Fichera.

Since 1883, the people of Catania have come to spend a few hours breathing the oxygenated air of my plants, strolling with their children, some come to jog. In short, they spend moments of true relaxation immersed in greenery.

Come with me, I will take you to see my beauties entering from the entrance on via Etnea.

In 1932, the ancient entrance was revolutionized by architect Samonà to adapt it to the city's traffic. The entrance on via Etnea became monumental with the construction of the overpass that allows via Sant’Euplio to pass beneath the garden; moreover, the majestic staircase was built, which you can admire as soon as you enter, flanked by flower beds and side avenues leading to the large square where the Fountain of the Swans stands and where, believe it or not, real swans once swam.

There were also little monkeys in that square, a baby elephant named Tony, donated by the Orfei Circus. Just think of the happiness of the children when they came on Sundays with their parents.

In 1962, above the fountain, the large floral clock was placed, one of the largest in Europe, with a dial diameter of 4 meters made up of evergreen plants.

Above the clock, you can admire the bust of our Swan, Vincenzo Bellini, created in 1866 by the Neapolitan sculptor Tito Angelini; continuing on, we find the calendar of “verzura” and here too day, month, and year are “written” with evergreen plants.

Heading up towards the southern part of the hilltop, you will find the charming Kiosk of Music, a wrought iron structure in Liberty style, with a roof of colored glass and a cherry wood floor. Here, for decades, until the end of the 1950s, the notes of classical music concerts resonated.

Once, there was also the famous Chinese Kiosk, a pavilion donated by an emperor and used as a library, but, alas, unfortunately, it has not existed since 2001, destroyed by a fire and never rebuilt.

For years and years, the citizens of Catania, as well as tourists and passersby, admire my beauties and, even today, it is the preferred place for a stroll or a moment of relaxation, and I continue to guard, among my century-old trees, the fragments of over two centuries of Catanese history.

I.C. “Montessori – Mascagni”