The cupoline, or little domes, of Palermo’s Cathedral were added during a late 18th century renovation. Majolica tiles decorate them.
Category: Ceramics
The Significance Of Pine Cone Ceramics In Sicily
You’ll see majolica pine cones like this one I photographed in the ceramic center, Caltagirone, all over Sicily and southern Italy. It’s a significant symbol. As a botanical, the pine cone is a reproductive organ. Female pine cones hold seeds. Male pine cones hold pollen. From ancient Greek times, the pine cone recalls the Greek…
A Landmark Staircase In Sicily
The Staircase of Santa Maria del Monte in Caltagirone, Sicily was built in 1609 to connect the old lower town to the new upper town. Since 1954, each of the risers of its 142 steps has been decorated with colorful, handcrafted majolica ceramic tiles. This UNESCO recognized baroque town is world renowned for its ceramic…
Giovanni Falcone’s Ideas Remain In Sicily
Men pass, but ideas remain. Remain as moral strength that lives on in the strides of future generations. “Gli uomini passano, ma le idee restano. Restano le tensioni morali che continueranno a camminare sulle gambe di altri uomini,” said Giovanni Falcone (pictured left). On May 23, 1992, in Capaci, along Sicily’s autostrada between the Punta…
I Want To Be Your Sicily Travel Hero
Today is National Travel Advisor Day. Given the current circumstances that we travelers face and the complexities of what travel may look like in this post-Covid-19 world, when things go wrong, I ask you to remember that working with a small tour operator such as Experience Sicily (That’s me, Allison Scola, owner/curator of Experience Sicily,…
An Easter Lamb From San Biagio Platini, Sicily
Happy Easter! Buona Pasqua! This is a work of art made of grain and other elements from the natural world as part of the Arches of Easter or Archi di Pasqua in San Biagio Platini (Also known as the Bread Arches or Archi di Pane). The lamb represents purity and sacrifice. The white and red…
On The Road
Ceramic car by Produzione Artigianale di Caterina Mancuso, Termini Immerse (Palermo Province)
Say YES2020 By February 1 And Let’s Go To Sicily
I’m going to Sicily in 2020 – – and you can too! Amuni’: Let’s go! Say YES2020 when you reserve your spot on a small-group Sicily tour hosted by Experience Sicily by 11:59PM on February 1, 2020, and save an additional $150 per person. Immerse yourself in this fascinating region of the world featuring 3000…
Shopping For Ceramics In Caltagirone
Speaking of shopping… You’ll have time in Caltagirone, Sicily during our October Stunning Sicily tour, where you’ll find hand-crafted, one-of-kind ceramics of items you didn’t know where possible to make from earthenware. The UNESCO recognized Baroque town of Caltagirone boasts a rich ceramics center with artisanal shops every few feet. Navigate to Via Monsignore Saverio…
Let’s Light Up These Dark Days on Sunday With Santa Lucia
At the dawn of the 4th century, practicing Christianity in the Roman-ruled city of Siracusa was illegal. Already though, inspired by nearby Catania’s Patron Saint, Sant’Agata, who lived just a few decades before (from 231 AD – 251 AD), the young and beautiful Lucia devoted herself to Christianity. In fact, she was known to enter…