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…
Tag: staircase
Get The Glimmer In Sicily
The glimmer in my eyes comes from Sicily! You can have it too when you travel with me this year. We’ve got two spots left on our July tour, and September and October tours are waiting for your registration. Contact me at AllisonScola@ExperienceSicily.com to get the glimmer too! Photo Credit: Chiara Musumeci Fotografia
Ascending Into A Different Realm
Today, walking up and down Caltagirone’s Staircase of Santa Maria del Monte felt magical. There is something ethereal about connecting the “upper and lower” parts of town via this 1609 staircase–here with spring flowers decorating it! It’s as if you are ascending into a different realm using the 142 steps that have unique, colorful majolica…
A Hidden Corner of Sicily
Courtyard, Sambuca di Sicilia (Agrigento Province)
One with the Tiles
Here I am, one with the tiles of Caltagirone’s Staircase of Santa Maria del Monte, which was built in 1609 to connect the old lower town to the new upper town. Since 1954, each of its 142 steps was decorated with a unique design of colorful, handcrafted majolica ceramic tile, a craft for which the…
House on Salina Island
House on Salina, one of the 8 Aeolian Islands. The Aeolian Islands are one of Sicily’s 7 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The islands are volcanic (Stromboli and Vulcano are still active.) and were designated a UNESCO site in 2000. Movie buffs may be familiar with Salina because some scenes for the 1994 film “Il Postino”…
An Inspired Workout
Caltagirone’s Staircase of Santa Maria del Monte was built in 1609 to connect the old lower town to the new upper town. Since 1954, each of its 142 steps was decorated with a unique design of colorful, handcrafted majolica ceramic tile, a craft for which the city is world renowned. (Photo Credit: Experience Sicily’s Filippo…
Even the Fence is a Work of Art
The iron fence along the staircase leading to Ragusa Ibla’s duomo is itself a work of art.
Noto’s Cathedral And New Cupola
Noto’s cathedral (La Chiesa Madre di San Nicolò) was completed in 1776 when the city was rebuilt following the devastating earthquake of 1693. The Sicilian Baroque church sits at the center of a theatrical urban plan that is known as a “stone garden” for its use of local white rock and its elegant symmetry. Take…
Caltagirone’s Staircase
Caltagirone’s Staircase of Santa Maria del Monte was built in 1609 to connect the old lower town to the new upper town. Since 1954, each of its 142 steps was decorated with a unique design of colorful, handcrafted majolica ceramic tile, a craft for which the city is world renowned. #caltagirone #catania #pottery #ceramics #ceramica…