the land of ceramics

Caltagirone, Qal'at al Ghiran, that is the Rock of the Jars, is the town of my wife Paola. A land rich in clay, Caltagirone is known throughout the world for its craft production of ceramics, which still today employs hundreds of artisans. A myriad of little shops enlivens the town's little streets, displaying the typical products of this ancient art: tiles, candlesticks, whistles, plates, albarelli, vases. The production of the latter was particularly flourishing because they were used to preserve honey, a typical product of the area. The albarelli, on the other hand, were traditionally used by apothecaries for their pharmacies. Traditionally the town's greatest tourist attraction is the scenic staircase: one hundred and forty-two steps connecting the upper town to the lower town.

The staircase was built by Giuseppe Giacalone at the beginning of the 1600s and in 1954 the risers of every step were covered with majolica tiles, in a triumph of geometric, anthropomorphic and plant motifs. For the feast of St James, the town's patron, at the end of July the illuminated staircase annually takes on different forms and colours. In Sicily Caltagirone is synonymous with the nativity scene; indeed, since the 16th century the town has produced Nativities, shepherds and Holy Families: the terracotta figurines reflect the history, costume, ways of being and feeling of the time in which they were created.

This tradition is celebrated every year, from 1 December to the end of January, in the Natale e Presepi exhibition, during which you can appreciate both the latest creations of the Calatino artisans and the historic pieces, of extraordinary workmanship, normally kept at the town museum. A city with a very important culinary culture, the rotisserie is excellent as are the sweets, and the pizza at the pizzeria "mamma dina" is particularly delicious. On the last Sunday of August don't miss the Sagra dell'uva da tavola (table grape festival).

Besides the summer period, the town is worth visiting especially in April to attend the beautiful rites of Holy Week: we particularly recommend the feast of La Giunta (Easter Sunday), when the statue of St Peter, about three metres tall, is carried in procession through the town streets, until it reaches the statue of the Madonna to symbolically announce to her the resurrection of Christ.