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…
Tag: souvenir
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…
Bring Home Something One Of A Kind
I love my new earrings (one pair of a handful I bought or was given while in Sicily in May) featuring the leaf of the fichi d’india cactus prevalent throughout Sicily! These were hand crafted by Cathenica Boutique and although, one of a kind, others like them and more may be purchased at Triscele ALAB…
Burgio: A Souvenir And A Story
Bringing home a unique handcrafted piece of pottery for yourself or your loved ones is a fantastic souvenir. Sicily has many centers of ceramics, perhaps the most famous are Caltagirone, Santo Stefano di Camastra, and Sciacca. Burgio, where I photographed this image, is also well-known for its earthenware. For an off-the-beaten path stop, it’s a…
Thousands Pay Homage In Tindari
The preparations are well underway. Since last week, the Sanctuary of the Black Madonna of Tindari, high on its promotory, has been holding nine successive days of prayer and meditation in preparation for the feast day, September 8. On September 7, in recognition of the mysterious Madonna Bruna from the east, devotees will hold a…
A Sicilian Keepsake
We had friends over for dinner this evening, and I pulled out these linen place mats I purchased in Taormina in 2003. Every time I see the craftsmanship of items like this, it takes my breath away. I just think of the woman who designed and spent hours to make them… carefully cutting each piece…
A Convenient Souvenir
When I (conveniently) forgot to wear earrings one day in June while in Ortigia, I saw these in a jewelry store window. I walked in and asked to see them. The salesman began his pitch to sell them to me, which I thought was hilarious because I knew exactly what they were… “Hand painted ceramic…
Graphic Surprise
Erice boasts many lovely shops selling unique crafts like these rugs.
Seeing Red
Ceramic plate in the traditional red-orange design style from Santo Stefano di Camastra.
She was Immovable
It was the dawn of the 4th century, and practicing Christianity in the Roman-ruled city of Siracusa was illegal. Already though, inspired by nearby Catania’s Patron Saint, Sant’Agatha, young and beautiful Lucia devoted herself to Christianity. She planned to give her dowry to the poor, yet her widowed and sick mother had already arranged Lucia…