The amazing Caltagirone ceramics!

The Staircase of Santa Maria del Monte (in Sicilian A Scala dâ Matrìci) was built in 1606 in order to connect the ancient part of Caltagirone to the new city built in the upper part. The staircase, over 130 meters long, is flanked by buildings with balconies and is today one of the identifying monuments of the city, to the point of being its emblem outside. It's well decorated by incredible beautiful ceramics panels and I suggest you to go up, step by step!

The Museum of Contemporary Ceramics is located in the 18th-century Palazzo Reburdone, at the foot of the Staircase of Santa Maria del Monte, in the heart of the historic center of Caltagirone. Through an interesting collaboration relationship with the private sector, it was possible for the Municipality of Caltagirone to establish an important exhibition of Caltagirone, made of Sicilian and national ceramics, starting from the historic editions of the Biennial of Ceramics (since 1970s), but also thanks for purchases and donations. The Museum thus testifies and let people know the research in the ceramic field, from tradition to innovation, from the design side to unique pieces of art. Although the main part of the exhibition remains permanently on display, the collections often change and themed exhibitions are organized, following the various declinations of the versatile and articulated world of ceramic craftsmanship. The Museum occupies the second floor of the Reburdone Palace, a noble baroque palace.

The primitive building was the seat of the Calatino Senate whose construction was begun in 1483 and completed the following year. The author is unknown, but Giandomenico Gagini (1569) and his son Antonuzzo (1583) contributed to its embellishment in the second half of the 16th century. Following the subsequent transformations and catastrophic natural events, only a few but significant fragments remain, preserved in the Civic Museum at the Bourbon Prison. In 1584 the Palermitan silversmiths Agostino and Giuseppe Sarzana provided the bronze door of the Ark of the "Privileges" of the city, which is now also exhibited again in the Civic Museum. In 1589 the Neapolitan Scipione Di Guido carved a sumptuous coffered roof. The 1693 earthquake significantly damaged the building, which slowly fell into disrepair until in 1823 it was transformed into a theater, by the local architect Salvatore Marino. Marino's work is currently identifiable in the façade, with the exception of the modifications to the entrance staircase and the opening of two side doors flanking the first, carried out in 1950. Marino's project remained incomplete, it was decided to entrust its completion to the architect Di Stefano from Catania, but also the latter's project was not realized. In 1863 the architect Giuseppe Di Bartolo from Palermo architecturally arranged the side elevations of the Theater, as they are visible today. In the first twenty years of the 1900s, the architect Salvatore Fragapane created the beautiful rear elevation. In the 1950s the building was completely modified inside giving rise to the so-called Luigi Sturzo Gallery, dedicating it to the very famous politician, who was born in Caltagirone. It is owned by the Municipality and is used as a gallery with exhibition spaces, a municipal tourist offices, and, finally, hosts a bar.

In the square are grouped the cathedral of San Giuliano characterized by a beautiful turquoise majolica dome, as well as the former court, Corte Capitaniale, a fine example of a civil building (1601) built by Antonuzzo and Giandomenico Gagini, from the Gagini family of sculptors. The church of Gesù and the church of Santa Chiara (whose façade is attributed to Rosario Gagliardi, the famous architect who rebuilt many monuments between Ragusa and Noto) also have a fine Baroque style. After this walk...let's have a good lunch!

Do you smell this perfume? It's coming from the kitchen of the Coria Restaurant. With their reinterpretation of classic traditional recipes, the two chefs Domenico Colonnetta and Francesco Patti are the soul of the project. Inspired by Giuseppe Coria's "bible of Sicilian cuisine", Profumi di Sicilia, the restaurant is located in the quaint old town of Caltagirone, soon becoming a reference point for the island's smell and flavors lovers. After your lunch, take your car, for the last tour in Caltagirone!

The Caltagirone Regional Ceramics Museum exhibits many topologies of ceramics made in Sicily starting from prehistoric times to the recent maiolica production. Perhaps you don't know that this museum, together with the one of Faenza, it is the most important in Italy for the documentation of ceramic art. The Museum exhibits a vast collection of ceramics, about 2,500 artifacts, which provide the visitor with a broad vision of the history of ceramic art from the fourth millennium BC. at the contemporary age.

At this point, you can have a little nice "digestive and relaxing" walk in the Public Gardens!

The Museum of the Caltagironesi and Sicilian Historic Villas is housed in the rooms of the aristocratic Villa Patti, reopened to the public after the recent restorations. This Villa is an example of the romantic and refined life that was led in all the system of villas and parks here in the district of Santa Maria di Gesù, since the 16th century. The ancient building of Villa Patti was renovated by the architect Gian Battista Nicastro in the second half of the 19th century with a facade in Venetian neo-Gothic style, with an extraordinary scenographic effect. The Museum exhibits paintings, design drawings, engravings, photos, books, majolica and terracotta pieces to tell the holiday life of Sicilian aristocratic families, in particular here in Caltagirone. Have a look at the opening hours, because normally the museum closes at 6.30 p.m., but it is closed in some afternoons.

If you want, before leaving Sicily, to taste again some good food from Italian cuisine, the Tondo Vecchio pizzeria is your choice! I suggest to try the exotic pizza, antipasto or tagliatelle. If you are hungry, come here for their unrivaled tiramisu and semifreddo. A great restaurant to end your fantastic tour in Sicily! Finally...your flight is waiting for you!