1516–17 - Civil war of the viceroy Ugo Moncada
The Places in question are included in the "Regional Map of Places of Identity and Memory" (LIM) established by the Region of Sicily with DA n. 8410 of 03/12/2009
The reference sector is that relating to the "Places of historical events of the Renaissance" 1516-17 - Civil war of the viceroy Ugo Moncada
The places included in the IWB:
"Pietra del malconsiglio" in the Piano della Fiera, today Piazza Università
The Pietra del Malconsiglio: an uncertain origin
Very little is known about the origin of this ancient artifact. In fact, everything that has been able to be discovered is due to the particular material of which the boulder is made, one particularly porous lava stone, which would perhaps date it back to the Republican age, around 122-121 BC. To be honest, scholars aren't even entirely sure what it is.
In this regard, it is thought that the Pietra del Malconsiglio could be the remnant of an old capital Doric, but his style would seem to be closer to the Tuscan one, even if it would represent a particular case of it. However, some scholars would believe that the hypothesis that the boulder was some sort of altar in honor of Bacchus.
The Pietra del Malconsiglio and the revolt of the Catania people
The history of this particular artifact is inevitably linked to one of the bloodiest episodes for the city of Catania: i revolutionary motions of the 1516. In fact, precisely in that year, the rebels who participated in the independence revolts following the death of Ferdinand the Catholic.
The very young heir had then succeeded to the throne Charles of Habsburg, later known as Carlo V. Il Sicilian viceroy Ugo Moncada he received orders to resign from the new sovereign, but by refusing to leave the office, he incited a part of the island's aristocracy, loyal to him, to unleash a real civil war.
The nobles who supported Moncada, the resigning Viceroy, were convinced they could obtain new privileges if they supported the cause, but there was also the expectation of a possible independence from the kingdom of Spain. Among the island cities, Catania was precisely the most fierce and, during the three years of struggle, the aristocrats adhering to the cause used to meet right at the Pietra del Malconsiglio. It is thought that, at the time, the boulder was placed at the “Pian dei Trixini”, a place next to the convent of “San Nicolò dei Trixini” near today's “Quattro Canti”.
Betrayal and the end of the revolt
The boulder, however, did not bring great luck to the rioters. The new viceroy, nominated by Charles of Habsburg, decided, in fact, to send an army to Catania to suppress the revolt. Betrayed by a spy, the loyal conspirators of Moncada they were caught at one of their nightly meetings to the Pietra del Malconsiglio. The troops, unexpectedly swooping down on the Sicilian nobles, began a terrible massacre, causing a massacre.
Still stained with the blood of the opponents, the stone was displayed in the public square as an eternal warning against disobedience and anyone who still wanted to conspire against the Crown. It was precisely at that moment that the stone received the nickname of "Malconsiglio", since it had not been entirely favorable and, indeed, had "ill-advised" the rioters to meet in that very place and on that evening.
Abandonment and rediscovery of the Malconsiglio stone
But the misfortune of this ancient artifact was certainly not exhausted like this. After the earthquake of 1693, in fact, it was completely forgotten by the citizens and its traces were lost for several decades. Found only at the end of the nineteenth century, now battered and damaged, it was brought back to the place where, presumably, it was at the time of the revolt, Paternò Palace Carcaci Castle to the Quattro Canti.
Regardless of its historical value, in 2009 it was exhibited outside the Castello Ursino, exposed to bad weather and neglect. Today, however, the Pietra del Malconsiglio is located in a corner of Palace of the Elephants, where city council meetings take place.
Text source: https://catania.liveuniversity.it/
Card insertion: Ignatius Caloggero
Photo: web
Information contributions: Ignazio Caloggero, Web
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