In the volcanic heart of Catania the scenes of Bell'Antonio

The journey on the cinematic traces scattered by Claudia Cardinale can begin in the historical centre of Catania. It is in that magma of lava-paved streets that the actress starred in Il Bell'Antonio, a film by Mauro Bolognini shot in 1960, in which Claudia is the young bride of Marcello Mastroianni. The city of the little elephant has changed considerably in the space of 65 years, but the whirlwind of contrasting sensations one feels walking through the heart of Piazza Duomo, between the Fish Market where even small sharks are sold and Marco Timpanaro with his restaurant of refined street food called Scirocco rediscovered around the Amenano Fountain, is still strong. The baroque and sciantoso Palazzo Biscari, the scenic Porta Garibaldi are almost the same as those recognised in the film and even the Church of San Nicolò l'Arena, where the marriage between Cardinal Mastroianni and the Benedictine monastery of the same name was celebrated, erected in the 16th century still preserves Donato Del Piano's organ and all its charm. Perhaps the two leading actors in this film inspired by Vitaliano Brancati's novel would now stay at Palazzo Sangiorgio, built on the ruins of Palazzo Hernandez, enjoying its pleasant spa.