According to the Holy Scriptures, Jewish purification rites take place using the water element. For this reason, the bathing must take place in very pure water, and the water cannot be transported by hand or through pipes. The mikveh must be connected to a natural source or fed by rainwater or rive...

In Greek and Roman mythology a pistris is a legendary sea monster with a snake's tail. It usually swims with the god Neptune, accompanied by tritons and mermaids. This figure symbolises the fear of the unknown. ...

In Greek mythology, the gorgon is a monstrous being. The most famous gorgon is Medusa, who has snake nests instead of hair, teeth like boar tusks and bronze hands. Medusa petrifies men and gods with a single glance. This figure was often depicted in the Greek temple to ward off evil forces and...

The Fontana di Proserpina (Fountain of Persephone) was built by Giulio Moschetti in 1904 near the central station of Catania. It tells the story of the kidnapping of Persephone, a goddess who was abducted by Hades, god of the underworld, while she was near Enna. Persephone was forced to marry Hades...

A fibula was an accessory very similar to a brooch. It was used to fasten clothing at shoulder height and keep it from falling off. Some of the fibulae found in Pantalica have very refined shapes (violin bow, simple arch, metal knots). These unique aspects symbolised the wealth and prestige of t...

Via della Cannamela was named after the numerous workshops where sugar cane was refined. According to ancient tradition, this plant was collected in "bundles" and transported to the mill, where it was ground by a wheel then pressed. The sugary liquid was boiled in large cauldrons then put into jar...

A telamon is a male sculpture used as support in a building, instead of a pillar or column. The telamon is also called Atlas, a mythological character forced by Zeus to hold the heavens on his shoulders as a punishment. These sculptures can be depicted either standing or crouching. The female ve...

The rose window is a large circular window that is often found on church façades. It has a decorative function, and is usually enriched by stained glass windows that create special light effects inside the church. [dettaglio_immagine id="18712"]...

According to Greek mythology, the first pomegranate was born from the drops of Dionysus' blood, the god of wine. It is said that the god, who was still a child, was kidnapped by the Titans at the behest of the goddess Hera, who sought revenge for the continued infidelity of her husband, Zeus. Dion...

The style of Baroque civic architecture is distinguished from religious architecture by the simplicity of the shapes of the buildings. The best known elements are the large corbels that support the balconies and at the same time add movement to the façades. It is here that the engravers gave free...