The 4 bronze street lamps in Piazza dell'Università guard the four legends of Catania (Gammazzita, Colapesce, Uzeta and the brothers Anapia and Anfimono).
Gammazita was a beautiful girl from Catania, already betrothed. The French soldier Droetto fell in love with her, so much so that the young girl from Catania never went out alone, except one day, when on her way to the well near the Ursino Castle she was chased by the soldier and in order to maintain her virtue, Gammazita decided to throw herself into the well and commit suicide rather than dishonour her husband.
The pious brothers Anapia and Anfinomo, young ethnic peasants, were surprised by a strong eruption because the only solution was to flee quickly but to save their parents they put them on their shoulders. This decision allowed the lava to reach them and, as the legend tells, the river of magma divided and then reunited, sparing the family. The episode was well known in antiquity as an example of pietas. It was considered a boast of Catania and coins were minted, temples were raised and statues sculpted. Their tomb was placed in the "Campo dei fratelli pii" near the temple of Ceres. This event probably also inspired Virgil through the figure of Aeneas, who saved his father Anchises from the flames of Troy.
Uzeta, a young man of humble origins, won the heart and goodwill of King Frederick II of Swabia thanks to his courage and valour. Legend has it that with his tenacity he defeated the giants Ursini, who at that time lived in the present Castle Ursino (from which it takes its name), defeating them and driving them out of the mighty building. This feat also earned him the hand of King Frederick's daughter.
Cola Pesce is the most famous legend of the Sicilian lands, skilful diver, so much so that he could also live underwater for months.
King Frederick II of Swabia, who became aware of this incredible dowry, put him to the test by throwing in the abyss several precious objects, such as his crown and his ring and asking Cola Pesce to recover them.
He effortlessly reported the king's request, telling of the incredible wonder of the Sicilian seabed, but also of worrying events, as Sicily was resting on three columns: one at Capo Passero, one at Capo Lilibeo and one at Capo Peloro, just below Messina, and that this column was about to collapse.
The king, alarmed, asked him to go and check it out better, but given the depths to be faced, Cola Pesce brought with him a handful of lentils saying that if the lentils came back to the surface it would be a sign of his death.
Some time after his dive the lentils resurfaced.
According to legend, Cola Pesce did not die but replaced the cracked column and is still there supporting Messina and the whole of Sicily.
In fact, when there is an earthquake, it is said that Cola, tired of supporting the column, changes shoulder generating the tremor of the earth.
