52 Reasons to Love Sicily #10. The crowds slip away quickly in Sicily and what’s left are delightful discoveries. In accessible off-the-beaten-path towns like Sciacca in Agrigento Province, for one example, you will encounter something engaging when you least expect it, such as a work of street art, a votive altar for the Madonna on…
Category: Ceramics
More Sicilian Ceramics In Burgio
Burgio, a remote mountain town in Agrigento province, is one of Sicily’s ceramic centers, where for centuries different family studios created distinct pottery. Different from Santo Stefano di Camastra, Caltagirone, and Sciacca, most of Burgio’s are most depicted on tan-colored and off-white beds. If looking for an off-the-beaten path stop, it’s a great place to…
Votive Offerings Through The Millennia
Archaeologists are very careful to identify to whom an ancient temple is dedicated until they have concrete evidence (and I don’t just mean concrete in the sense of stone!). In Siracusa, for example, we know that the temple to Apollo on Ortigia is for Apollo because there is an inscription on the east-facing stairs stating…
The Sanctuary of Demeter Malophoros, Selinunte (Part I)
The ancient Greek community of Selinunte was founded as a sub-colony of Megara Iblea in 651-650 BCE. One of the first sacred sites in the western Sicilian city, which is considered one of the world’s largest archaeological zones, is the Santuario della Malophoros or the Sanctuary of the Fruit Bearer. “Malophoros” implies pomegranates or apples,…
Sicily-inspired Yoga: Winter’s Inner Wisdom
Next Friday at 5:30PM Eastern, Clio Mallin and Experience Sicily will present Sicily-Inspired Yoga: Embrace Winter’s Inner Wisdom. Join us to embrace the cocoon of winter, when your seeds of promise are below the surface. Winter as a time to relax, quiet down, connect to what’s important, pause, and listen to inner wisdom. Our gentle…
Ancient And Modern Music-Making In Sicily
Female figure on a stool playing the lyre (4th – 5th century BCE), from the ancient city of Lilibeo (modern Marsala), seen in the Museo Whitacker archeological museum on Mozia Island. Speaking of music-making, join Villa Palagonia duo on Sunday at 3PM (Eastern)/21:00 in Italia for an online concert of Sicilian folk music (and a…
Sicily Shopping Tip: Buy It When You See It
Each piece of ceramics from Sicily is a unique work of art. I always tell my clients, if you see something you like in a shop, buy it there and then. Don’t wait, because you probably won’t see it again anywhere else. I love this typical plate that possesses a classic, baroque-style lemon and pomegranate…
Sicilian-Style Fiat 500
This Fiat 500, painted by Ceramiche Galfano in the style of a Sicilian cart, can be found outside the Selinunte archaeological park in Castelveltrano. Be sure to leave some extra time to stop by the shop to visit this masterpiece and pick up a few ceramics and other unique artisanal items.
Let’s Dream of Traveling To Sicily On Tuesday
Whimsical ceramics made by Nino Parrucca from Palermo grace my home. What other ceramic artists do I suggest and where to buy their art is a question that I can answer during Tuesday evening’s Let’s Dream of Traveling to Sicily online presentation and Q&A. Let’s Dream of Traveling to SicilyPresentation and Question & Answer SessionTuesday,…
Three Irresistible Sisters In Ancient Sicily
Years ago, when I first saw a photo of this terracotta Gorgon, I thought it was Mayan! But no, it’s ancient Greek-Sicilian, from the 6th century BC, and it was found in Siracusa. Archaeologists know it was part of a relief–not much more is known about it; however, it gives me a chance to tell…