The legend of Colapesce

The Sicilian legend of Colapesce tells the story of Cola, a young man from Messina so skilled in the sea that he seemed half man, half fish; that is why he was called Colapesce. His fame reached the ears of King Frederick II, who decided to test him by throwing a golden cup into the sea.

During his dive, Cola discovered something astonishing: Sicily rested on three underwater columns, but one of them was broken. Realizing the danger this posed to the island, he chose to remain at the bottom of the sea to support the damaged column and prevent Sicily from sinking.

Since then, according to the legend, whenever the earth trembles, it is Colapesce moving beneath the sea to keep the island in balance.