Hey everybody!
HAPPY NEW YEAR! We’ve had such a blast in 2018 traveling all over Europe, we decided to kick off the new year by celebrating in Sicily!
We packed our bags and flew to Catania, rented a car and drove all over! We didn’t get a chance to accomplish nearly as much as we hoped for – but it makes for a perfect reason for us to visit again soon. Our first stop was to historic Caltagirone! Virtually all buildings in the old town are decorated with ceramic tiles. Their shops are just spilling out with gorgeous ceramics. What a fun town to explore!
As soon as we parked the car, we hopped out and kids were ready to have fun!
Kids running around the Christmas tree in on of the piazza’s in town.
Walking the beautiful streets.
Hard at work in an artisanal ceramics workshop in Caltagirone. The Testa di Moro (on the table) is a favorite traditional Sicilian ceramic and it has a super sad/creepy legend. The Testa di Moro (Moor’s Head), a receptacle for plants. One story recounts the fate of Lisabetta of Messina, who dug up the head of her lover after he’d been murdered by her brothers. She used it as a pot for her fragrant basil plant, which, irrigated by her tears of mourning, grew enormously. Her own version of “miracle grow.” So, there’s that. They have these heads proudly displayed all over Sicily.
Caltagirone’s famous Scalinata di Santa Maria del Monte, 142 ceramic-tiled steps. We counted every single one! These steps, of the Scalinata di Santa Maria del Monte, connect the lower town with the older upper town. The upright of each step is decorated with ceramic tiles and each row represents a century by a distinct design.
The Testa di Moro!!!
YUM! Freshly baked tasty Sicilian treats filled with fresh pistachio and fruits.
View from the top while walking down…..
Beautiful restoration of century old tiles!
Heading home….
I’m so glad that you had a chance to see what we’ve been up to over the holiday weekend! I’ll keep you posted on what we are up to next. If you like this post and wanna see more *or* HECK – schedule a session – shoot me a message! I’d love to hear from you!
Ciao Bella!
S