Such wagons where used for centuries to transport goods throughout the island. Drivers were known for their melismatic songs, which were often employed to entertain each other at rest stops and to stay awake while traveling during the night, when it was cooler to protect the fish, fruit, vegetables or other such perishable goods they…
Tag: caretto siciliano
Carving Sicilian Carts
Before Sicilian carts are painted, the woodworker carves his magic (Work in progress at Cinabro Carrettieri Bottega d’arte).
Take A Trinacria
Hand-painted chair with Trinacria by R. Caputo of Laboratorio Artistico Roberto Caputo; More about the Trinacria, Sicily’s ancient symbol, at https://experiencesicily.com/2015/07/24/3-feet-a-head/
He Carries On The Legacy
Our Experience Sicily friend, Sicilian cart painter Michele Ducato, was featured this week on Medianews Extra in Italy. You may watch the interview, which is in Italian, here: https://youtu.be/h5LjSKeZc6M?t=36s. Although the interview is in Italian, those non-Italian speakers can appreciate the visual. The camera takes you into Ducato’s workshop in Bagheria, where we often bring…
Lia’s Sicilian Hospitality
Even in upstate New York, for me, Sicily is never too far away. Where my husband Joe and I ate dinner this evening, at Lia’s Mountain View Restaurant, in Pine Plains, New York you’ll find warm- Sicilian hospitality.
Small-group
One of my favorite visits during our Enchanting Sicily tour is with artist Michele Ducato in his studio. Michele the keeper of the Ducato family business: painting Sicilian carts. He is so generous with his time and sharing his knowledge about his craft.
Oh, Amore Mio! Tesore Mio!
Oh, Amore Mio! Tesore Mio! (Oh, my love! My treasure!) … Can’t you hear her say? Love is in the air and on Sicilian carts with their illustrations of chivalry from “Orlando furioso” and other stories of princesses and knights. Master cart painter Michele Ducato in Bagheria showed us this cart, almost completed, in his…
Let’s Talk Travel and My Dreamy Tote Bag
One of my new prized possessions is this hand-crafted tote bag made by Signora Galfano of Ceramiche Galfano in Castelvetrano. For more than a year I’d been looking for a “practical” bag in which to carry my camera, sunglasses, sunscreen, itinerary book, and water bottle during our tours–after practical, the main requirement was that it…
Me and My Dream Car
I’ve talked about this treasure in Castelvetrano before. Well, here I am enjoying a moment with it–my dream car, a Fiat 500 painted in the style of a Sicilian cart by the artists of Ceramiche Galfano.
Meet Alessandro
Meet Alessandro Castro, a master accordion player and singer who calls himself “Il Carrettiere di Erice,” or the Cart Driver of Erice. Alessandro specializes in performing Sicilian and Neopolitan songs. You can find him in front of the Castello di Venere at the top of Mount San Giuliano in Erice. I was fortunate enough to…