What to see in Caltagirone

Thanks for sharing Fragavio

Thanks for sharing Pietro Ramòn Strino

Thanks for sharing Pietro Ramòn Strino

The city of Caltagirone is one of the most interesting inland Sicilian destinations. Perched on three different hills which boast of stunning views of the valley below, it became famous for the quality and sophistication of its ceramics

. Caltagirone is developing into a major tourist destination, able to attract many visitors throughout the year. The famous staircase “La Scalinata”, the nativity scenes, the patronal feast of St. James, the Baroque heritage of Unesco, are more than good reasons to get to know this vibrant city in the province of Catania.

What to see in Caltagirone

Scala di Santa Maria del Monte

La Scala di Santa Maria del Monte, or simply the Steps of Caltagirone “La Scalinata”, is the most famous site of the city: it was built in 1608 to join the upper and the lower part of the city. In 1953, the 142 steps that constitute it were completely rebuilt in lava stone and were elaborately decorated with hand-painted works from local craftsmen. The visual effect is stunning. The Staircase is often used during performances or cultural events to create color, using floral designs, or in the evening, lit by a variety of different colors. Along the steps there are numerous craft shops, where the prized ceramics are created using the craftsmanship of long ago.

There are also bars and well cared for local places, attracting the attention of families and young people that in the evening stroll through the city streets.

The Cathedral

The Cathedral, built in Norman times and dedicated to St. Julian, and is located in Piazza Umberto I. In present day, the structure does not present itself in its original construction: often times damaged through the centuries, it was demolished and in large part rebuilt in 1838. Beautiful and impressive, the dome was recently decorated in local ceramic. The facade is done in an elegant liberty style, flanked by a high bell tower which rises up to 50 meters in height. In its three aisled interior, it hosts a refined marble sculpture of the Madonna and Child.

The Basilica of St. James

The Basilica of St. James was built by Count Roger the Norman to honor God’s blessing of the victory of the Christians against Muslims in 1090. Its structure, in the form of a Latin cross with three aisles, contains many fine works: from paintings, to wood carvings and above all, the marble sculptures of The Marble Shield and the Annunciation. But what is more surprising is the Ark of the Relics, a silver case made over the span of one hundred years by the best craftsmen of the time.

The Church of Santa Maria del Monte

The Church of Santa Maria del Monte is located just up the hill that leads to the stairway “La Scalinata”. Its original structure dates back to Norman times but most of the building that exists today was rebuilt with clear baroque effects after the earthquake of 1693.

It was the principal church of the city until the building of the Cathedral of San Giuliano, even though the faithful maintained a special relationship with this church. Inside, in addition to the marble works of exquisite workmanship, it is important to point out the Byzantine painting of Our Lady of Condominiums: having arrived to Caltagirone in the thirteenth century, it is painted on both sides. In addition to the Madonna, in a beautiful Byzantine-style portrait is the risen Christ.

Villa Patti

Villa Patti is built in clear neo-Gothic style, very similar to a Venetian building. Located about 2 km from the city center, it was built in the ninth century with fanciful shapes, typical of the exuberance of Sicilian noble class during this period. Restored only a few years ago, is The Museum of Historical Villas, which houses many discoveries, such as designs, drawings and paintings found in the territory of Ville Calatino.

The Museums in Caltagirone

The Museum of Ceramics, located near the Teatrino, is easily accessible from Via Roma. It was inaugurated in 1965, the second of its kind only to that of Faenza. In it is the well-illustrated five thousand year history of ceramics in Sicily, with particular reference to local works.

The museum is divided into three sections, each referring to a particular historical period. The first preserves pottery from prehistoric times until the Roman period. The second section, however, in addition to artifacts from the medieval period, also presents models of furnaces used in the past.

The final section contains works in modern times, with particular emphasis on the ceramics of Caltagirone.Alpha

The Civic Museum is located near in the former Bourbon prison, in Via Roma. In the archeological and historical sections, finds dating back to prehistoric times are preserved, as well as old Greek-Roman coins and medieval sculptures.

The gallery contains beautiful paintings from the years prior to the earthquake to the present day.

Historical Background of Caltagirone

Caltagirone is definitely one of the oldest cities in Sicily, evident by numerous archaeological finds dating back to prehistoric times. The period of greatest prosperity came with the Normans, with the Arab defeat in 1030: the troops of King Roger were able to conquer the mighty castle, now completely gone; Caltagirone quickly became a reference point for the entire eastern hinterland of Sicily. The trades and crafts, driven by the production of ceramics, were able to increase the socio-economic growth of the city for several centuries.

It was the violent earthquake of 1693 that halted the development of Caltagirone: entire neighborhoods were destroyed, and only with the patience and the skill of the population were they able to resurrect the city, in its clear Baroque style, that today, makes it stand apart. It is the birthplace of Don Luigi Sturzo, an Italian politician, prominent in the first half of the twentieth century, and founder of the Italian Popular Party. After suffering a massive emigration in the years after World War II, Caltagirone is clearly emerging as a touristic and cultural city.

Caltagirone by Night

You will certainly enjoy spending a night in Caltagirone: the city has a good number of bars and restaurants to either get a pizza or enjoy a dinner of typical Sicilian delights.

Especially on weekends, Caltagirone is quite animated; children from neighboring counties choose the old town and the Spanish Steps as a meeting place for the evening.

Its geographical location also makes it attractive as a starting point to other places of interest in eastern Sicily.

What to see in Caltagirone

The Museums in Caltagirone

Historical Background of Caltagirone

Caltagirone by Night

Seguici su Facebook

Ultimi articoli

Categories