Caltagirone: Ceramics, Baroque and the Illuminated Scala

Caltagirone combines a distinctive ceramic heritage with an old town of particular cultural significance. The entire old town of Caltagirone is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site “Late Baroque Towns of the Val di Noto”. At the same time, museums, churches and the Scala events introduce you to themes that bring craftsmanship, art and urban tradition together. When choosing a hotel in Caltagirone, you can arrange these focal points according to your own interests.

UNESCO Old Town and Ceramic Tradition

The city’s ceramic history goes back a long way: Terracotta production in Caltagirone can be traced back to the 10th century BC. Using objects from all over Sicily, the Museo regionale della ceramica di Caltagirone examines the island’s historical ceramic production from prehistory to the beginning of the 20th century. A particular focus is placed on products from Caltagirone. This gives you a clear introduction to a topic that has shaped the city across different eras.

Art in a Historic Setting

Individual buildings also bring culture and local craftsmanship together. The Church of San Francesco d’Assisi all’Immacolata contains a large majolica panel by Antonio Ragona depicting the Nativity with Saint Francis. The MACC was founded in 1996 after Carmela Pasqualino donated works by the artist Gianni Ballarò and is located in the Ospedale delle Donne, next to the ancient Church of San Giorgio. The museum displays contemporary art collections acquired from the National Ceramic Exhibitions organised by the Comune di Caltagirone since 1980. The former Bourbon prison, which houses the Caltagirone City Museum, was built between 1782 and 1798. The wider surroundings of Caltagirone also include Palazzo Aprile and Palazzo Ceramico as palaces, as well as the Luigi Sturzo Gallery and the Musei Civici Luigi Sturzo as museums.

The Scala as a Stage for Flowers and Light

A recurring city event is the Scala Infiorata. It is created every year between May and June as a tribute to the Madonna di Conadomini, the city’s patron saint. Every year, thousands of vases with plants and flowers in different shades of colour form a new large-scale overall image on the monumental Scala Santa Maria del Monte. Another event is the Scala Illuminata, which takes place on 24 and 25 July and on 14 and 15 August. These fixed dates help you coordinate cultural impressions with your personal travel periods.

Green Spaces and Landscapes in the Surrounding Area

The Giardino Pubblico forms a green oasis in the heart of the city. It covers 10 hectares and features avenues lined with holm oaks, linden trees, pines and cypresses. In the wider regional surroundings of Caltagirone, Montagna di Marzo is part of the landscape as a hill. The Riserva Naturale Orientata Bosco di Santo Pietro is connected with the surroundings of Caltagirone as a park and protected area. The wider regional area also includes the Riserva Naturale Orientata Sughereta di Niscemi as a park and protected area, as well as the Parco Suburbano Grotta del Drago as a park. Thus, alongside the old town, art and ceramics, the thematic range also encompasses landscapes with different designations.

Further Travel Ideas

You can find further travel ideas in Presa, Adrano, San Pietro Clarenza, Milo, Maletto, Carlentini, Mirabella Imbaccari and Misterbianco.

To the higher-level travel overview: Catania.