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The brightness of Sicily goes throughout the Globe, building a well-deserved notoriety. But not everybody knows what it actually resides in. The eyes are stolen by the majesty of architecture and important archaeological discoveries. Nevertheless, the lifestyle of the locals deserves full attention. Sicilians are great artists. Weather in the kitchen, in the wine cellars, in the painting studio or in the almond orchard natives pull of great creations in a rather personal manner. Their care for their arts is obvious through all the tiny details that do not escape the masters’ sight.

Caltagirone is one example of cities where handcrafting receives major attention. It is one of the three centers of ceramic pottery throughout the island, the other two being Santo Stefano di Camastra and Monreale. This craft had its origins way back. Ever since, it has made the perfect means of expression on Mediterranean style and culture. The beginnings of pottery are located in the Sicanian period when people used to make terra cotta objects. The art was subsequently undertaken by the Phoenicians and the Greeks.

The charm of Caltagirone is imminent. Beautiful ceramic objects are joined by the omnipresent Baroque elements that can be observed all over the city. The city represents one of the areas that were fully destroyed by the 1693 earthquake. As a consequence of the cataclysm, the cities were rebuilt following the main architectural flow of the island, the Baroque style.

The city is located on a rocky hilly area, 600 meters above sea level. The name announces the presence of numerous necropoleis throughout the area. The Arab translation is “Qalat-Jerun” which means “Castle of the burial grounds”. The necropoleis offer a pretty accurate trace on the origins which apparently go back to pre-historical times.

Elements of the Magna Graecia, including pottery and terra cotta, can be observed at the local Museum of Pottery that dates from 1965. A major landmark is a monumental construction, the 142-step Staircase of Santa Maria del Monte (1608) which creates quite an intrigue due to its differential ceramic designs. Each step presents a different ceramic decoration that displays features from the millennial tradition of this craft.

The city reserves a special place to religious venues. The art-nouveau façade of the Cathedral of St. Julian, the Gothic style sacristy of the Baroque Church of San Francesco di Paola, the white stone and picture gallery of the Renaissance Church of the New Capuchins denote important features of the city’s clerical world.

As far as the economic rhythm goes, tourism is joined by intensive agriculture that basically focuses on production of olives, peaches and grapes. A major contribution to the city’s attraction is brought by the location on a hill that overlooks the valley, a view that urban tourists largely enjoy and the reasons are quite strong. Caltagirone combines magnificent natural elements with precious arts in a very appealing way which makes resistance futile.