Caltagirone is famous for two reasons. One, our friend John “Obie” Oberhausen lived there for eight years and two, it is the ceramics capital of Sicily.
Italian ceramics are each unique in their design. Individually hand painted in brilliant color schemes they celebrate the world of nature and of man. Each piece has a similar design but differs in the application of that design by the artist.
We saw artists at work in the different shops painting vases and plates freehand in designs like the one you see here.
Small vase from Caltagirone
Caltagirone vase photo by Dede Hatch
Informed by the Arabic influences of the culture, the geometric tiles are hand painted with slight variations, to accommodate the style of the artist in each tile.
Tile decoration on steps
The town is filled with shops and boutiques selling every style and size of ornamental ceramics from tiny figures to decorated heads two feet in height. Ceramic tiles are worked into bridges and walkways all over the town. In the centro district this set of steps takes people from the main piazza to an active church at the top of the hill.
Decorated steps, Caltagirone
Along one of the entryways to the town is this long balustrade lined with ceramic insets, vases and decorated street lamps.
Entryway, Caltagirone
We enjoyed Caltagirone so much we went back for a second visit. Have you ever visited a town dedicated to an art or craft? Where was it and what was the art or craft?
MedFlies 