The legend of Niccolò Pesce, known as Colapesce or “Nick the Fish” because he was such a good swimmer, originated in the Middle Ages. It was said that the young man had webbed fingers, fins and scales: half man and half fish, he could have lived in the bottom of the sea.The legend tells that when Niccolò Pesce wanted to travel for long distances, he was used to enter inside the belly of a big fish and when he reached the place he wanted, he just cut the fish’s belly and came out.Colapesce lived in the sea between the cities of Naples and Messina and one day the king of Naples asked him to go down to the depths of the sea and see which secrets were hidden there. Colapesce said to the king there were priceless treasure and when he came back he brought a huge amount of jewels that he had found in the caves and marine tunnels under the Island of Megaride.

A bas-relief on the facade of a building in Mezzocannone Street shows a hairy man with a long beard with a knife in his hand. People still thinking today he is Colapesce himself. That is because from the 17th century people had an idea of him like a wild-looking man, who came from the sea to talk with the fishermen about the amazing treasures he had found in the depht of the sea.This man has become the symbol of the area of the Port of Naples. Casa Niccolò is right in the building where, according to legend, he resided.