Cola Pesce
Italian folktale merman who explored the sea for kings.
Cola Pesce—also called Pesce Cola, meaning "Nicholas Fish"—is the central figure of an Italian folktale about a merman. The story first appears in literature from the 12th century, and many different versions have been told over time. Depending on the region, he is known as Nicholas Pipe, Nicholas Papa, or Peix Nicolau, and his tale has been recorded across Italy, Spain, and Mallorca.
The earliest known literary mention comes from the 12th-century poet Raimon Jordon of Provence, who referred to a "Nichola de Bar" (Nicholas of Bari) living among fish. Walter Map later told of "Nicholas Pipe," a man who looked ordinary but could stay underwater for long stretches and warned ships about storms. When King William of Sicily ordered him brought to court, Nicholas Pipe could not survive away from the sea and died in captivity. Gervase of Tilbury wrote of "Nicholas Papa" from Apulia, a skilled sailor sent by King Roger of Sicily to explore the ocean floor; he reported seeing trees, valleys, and mountains underwater.
In a folk version from Palermo, edited by Italo Calvino, a boy named Nick Fish spends all his time swimming until his frustrated mother curses him to become a fish. He instantly turns half-fish, with duck feet and a frog's throat. He appears to fishermen, warning them of storms and describing marvels at the bottom of the sea. A king hears of him, summons him, and orders him to swim around Sicily and explore the ocean. Nick Fish discovers that Messina rests on three columns, some broken, and brings back hot and fresh water from springs near Naples. Finally, the king urges him to explore a bottomless chasm. When Nick Fish hesitates, the king throws his crown into the chasm and commands him to retrieve it. Nick Fish dives reluctantly; some lentils he was carrying float to the surface, but he never returns.
In another version, a boy named Cola or Nicholas is cursed by his mother to live in the water like a fish. He is interviewed by Emperor Frederick II, who tests him by dropping a golden cup into the sea and ordering him to fetch it. Cola refuses at first but eventually dives and is never seen again. This version is set in Messina and was recorded there by priests; it later spread to Barcelona when Sicily was under the Crown of Aragon. It was first printed in a chapbook around 1600.
In Mallorca, the character is called Peix Nicolau. Antoni Maria Alcover
- field
- Folklore
- nationality
- Italian (also Spanish and Mallorcan variants)
- known_for
- Merman who could live underwater, warned of storms, and explored the ocean floor for kings
- earliest_literary_mention
- 12th century by poet Raimon Jordon of Provencal
Lore & Background
The first known literary mention of Cola Pesce was by the 12th-century poet Raimon Jordon of Provencal, who referred to a 'Nichola de Bar' (Nicholas of Bari) who lived with the fishes. Walter Map recorded a story of 'Nicholas Pipe,' a man who appeared normal but could live under the sea for long periods and would warn ships of storms. King William of Sicily commanded that he be brought to him, but Nicholas Pipe could not live away from the ocean and died when captured. Gervase of Tilbury's version told of Nicholas Papa of Apulia, a skilled sailor sent by King Roger of Sicily to explore the ocean bottom, where he reported seeing trees, valleys, and mountains underwater.
Reader's Guide
Cola Pesce is significant as a widespread folk figure whose story has been recorded in multiple versions across Italy, Spain, and Mallorca, with literary mentions dating to the 12th century. The tale was analyzed in depth by Giuseppe Pitrè in 1904, who found it to be a popular and well-known tale across Italy and Spain, with different versions set in different areas and featuring different historical kings. The story was classified in the Aarne-Thompson-Uther Index as type ATU 434*, 'The Diver (Cola Pesce).' Pitrè compared the tale to other legends of retrieving a king's trinket from the water, including a tale recorded by Pausanias of Theseus retrieving King Minos's ring, and theorized that the tale developed from legends of Saint Nicholas of Bari, patron saint of mariners, as well as older sea gods like Neptune and folkloric water creatures like the Neck, Nökke, or Nykur. The tale has also appeared in adaptations, such as Friedrich Schiller's 1797 ballad 'Der Taucher' and Conrad Ferdinand Meyer's sonnet 'Nicola Pesce,' and Robert D. San Souci's 1997 picture book 'Nicholas Pipe' based on Walter Map's version.
Did You Know?
- In a version from Palermo edited by Italo Calvino, Nick Fish's mother curses him to turn into a fish after he spends all his time swimming.
- In one version, Cola Pesce discovers that Messina rests on three columns, some of which are broken.
- In Mallorcan versions, the character is known as Peix Nicolau and sometimes returns briefly to land every March to speak to sailors.
- In some places in Italy, Nicholas's name was used as a bogeyman to frighten children.
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