Little Genoa in the heart of Baroque Sicily. Have you ever heard of it? If you are curious and passionate about new discoveries and want to get to know a truly unique reality, then this city must be the next destination on your traveller’s checklist…
Today we are going to discover a village A Sicilian famous for being called “little Genoa in Sicily“. It may seem strange to you considering the great difference and the distance, not only in kilometers, between them Liguria and Sicily. Yet, among the many peculiarities of this municipality, it also has a Genoese identity waiting to be discovered. Are you curious to discover it? So today you come with us to Val di Noto, where the little one is village the protagonist of our journey…
Val di Noto, baroque heritage in the heart of Sicily…
Val di Noto is an unusual area, known for baroque heritage unique in the world. In this valley is a group of cities that were rebuilt in baroque style after the devastating earthquake of 1693, which destroyed a large part of the eastern part of Sicily. Major cities in Val di Noto there are Noto, Modica, Ragusa, Scicli, Caltagirone, Militello in Val di Catania, Catania and Palazzolo Acreide. These cities, known as “Baroque city“, were declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2002, thanks to the incredible architecture and their historical and cultural value. Visiting Val di Noto means immersing yourself in a world of art, culture and beauty, where each city tells a unique and fascinating story. This part of Sicily certainly has something more than what we generally know, but today, in particular, we present to you one of the symbols of the Val di Noto, which, in addition to its baroque heritage, can also boast a special relationship with Liguria…
Caltagirone, the ceramic village that “resembles” Genoa
According to story of this village of mercenaries who came from Genoa, between 1030 and 104, liberate the municipality of Caltagirone by Arab soldiers. With this historical explanation we can explain the connection between Caltagirone and Genoa, which seems so distant, but is rooted in culture of the place from this bond that comes from the past. Caltagirone is a city located in Eastern Sicilyits name is derived from the Arabic “Qal’at al-Ghiran” what does that mean “Cave tower,” a reference to the many caves nearby. The city is known above all for its production of ceramics, an art that goes back centuries and has made Caltagirone an important center for artistic ceramics in Italy. During the Middle Ages, Caltagirone experienced a period of notable development thanks to its strategic position and the cultural and commercial influences that came from different parts The Mediterranean Sea. In this context isGenoese influence played an important role. THE Genoese merchants, famous for his skill in maritime trade, established several trade routes that included Sicily as an important port of call. This constant contact with Genoa led to cultural influences that manifested themselves in various aspects of Caltagirone’s life, from the language to trade traditions to the architecture. The Genoese introduced new building techniques and architectural styles that merged with local traditions to create a unique urban landscape. A striking example of this fusion is Stairs in Santa Maria del Montelong measure of 142 steps which connects the lower part of the city with the upper part. This staircase was built in the 17th century and is decorated majolica hand painted, a tradition that reflects local craftsmanship influenced by styles and techniques learned, also thanks to contacts with other Mediterranean cultures, including the Genoese. Furthermore, Genoese influence can be seen in the structure of the homes and the main palaces, where the decorations and architectural details are reminiscent of the architecture seen in the cities of Liguria. Just think that the alleys here are called “carrugi” just like in Genoa and that the coat of arms of the city of Caltagirone has the cross of Saint Andrew and two griffins, just like in Genoa. So whether it’s influence, dominance or “gratitude”, there’s certainly some Genoese in this Caltagirone…
What to do and see in Caltagirone
Apart from recognizing the Ligurian influence and booking yourself into a workshop to create your own personal Brown ceramics, there are many things to do and see here. Meanwhile, if you are passionate about ceramics, you can visit Local ceramics museum, whatever your abilities, here is a destination not to be missed. The museum houses a large collection of ceramics spanning a period of thousands of years and offers a comprehensive overview of its development. ancient art. You can admire unique and precious objects, from archaeological finds to contemporary artefacts, and better understand the ceramic tradition that makes Caltagirone famous around the world. If you want to discover nature instead, then an interesting place for you might be Public park, a green oasis where you can relax and enjoy the tranquility. The garden is designed in an English style and offers a variety of exotic and Mediterranean plants, as well as a beautiful view of the city. Here you can also admire some ceramic statues that decorate the garden, which is a further tribute to the local artistic tradition. And then, obviously, look for the typical bistros on the streets of the city center to hide taste unique that only i taste of Sicily can leave you…