The Nativity Scene Museum of Caltagirone

Il Caltagirone Nativity Scene Museum, a collection ofnativity art of all continents. It collects 2.500 nativity scenes from all over the world. The exhibition represents materials, colors and shapes that are an expression of the culture of individual countries in a chorus of art and peace not to be missed.

The history of Caltagirone

Caltagirone is a Sicilian town of very ancient origins located in the Noto Valley between the plains of Catania and Gela. In the past, the territory was inhabited by Sicanians and Sicilians who created stable communities, but it was the Greeks with their colonies who created increasingly advanced cities whose cultural development the Romans appreciated.

In the early Middle Ages with the Arab domination, Caltagirone acquires its current structure and the inhabitants learn new techniques for ceramic artistry which becomes very refined. The new artefacts have unique characteristics in shapes and colors and Caltagirone is increasingly associated with high quality products.

After the liberation from the Saracens, churches and palaces were built enriched with ceramics and precious objects of all kinds, but the growth of the town suffered a severe blow in 1693 when an earthquake destroyed the entire area. The reconstruction took place over 10 years respecting the original city plan and the village acquired a new style at the beginning of the 700th century. In fact it becomes one late-baroque city which local artisans help to restore to its ancient beauty.

The richest families commission artisans to "figureddi", figurines to put on nativity scenes increasingly sumptuous to represent the social prestige of barons and marquises. In the early twentieth century, Art Nouveau buildings enriched the historic center which houses ancient churches and buildings, while the almost sacral cult of the art of the nativity scene continues today.

The history of the Caltagirone Nativity Scene Museum

The Nativity Scene Museum in Caltagirone was founded in 1998 by the will of the"Friends of the honeycomb" association which deals with social solidarity through different artistic paths. In fact, the members have thirty years of experience in ceramic manufacturing and use it to create new opportunities for social and cultural development.

Over the years the association has collected 2.500 nativity scenes from all over the world, a symbol of peace and a path of communication between peoples through art. The materials, colors and styles that are typical of different countries shape the uniqueness of the museum. The nativity scenes from North and South America and from every other corner of the world are mixed together in a particular exhibition which for some years has also included the innovative and modern nativity scene made with Lego bricks.

The clay shepherds with fabric clothes are therefore displayed in display cases alongside modern forms of representation. Due to lack of space, the nativity scenes are presented to the public in rotation so visitors can also return several times to see a new display.

Among the most interesting pieces there is a reconstruction of Caltagirone proposed as a nativity scene which allows you to get to know the most famous places of the city such as the Staircase of Santa Maria del Monte, the Bridge of San Francesco and the Palazzo Dell'Aquila. There is no shortage of nativity scenes made with unusual materials such as bread, salt dough or glass.

What to visit in Caltagirone

In addition to the Nativity Scene Museum, Caltagirone hosts several attractions not to be missed. The ancient center with its late Baroque style buildings is very interesting, including the Sant'Elia Palace in via San Pietro. The Magnolia Palace and Post Office building in Art Nouveau style they instead represent an example of the architecture of the early twentieth century, while the Staircase of Santa Maria del Monte with its 142 steps it traces the history of the town with blocks in Arabic, Norman, Swabian, Angevin-Aragonese, Spanish, Renaissance, Baroque, eighteenth-century, nineteenth-century and contemporary styles.

The staircase built in 1606 and revisited in 1954, is made with polychrome ceramic tiles and is an example of the mastery of local artisans. The Museum of Ceramics in via Roma in the heart of the historic center is an interesting collection of the evolution of ceramic manufacturing techniques from the XNUMXth millennium BC to the contemporary age.

How to get to the Caltagirone Nativity Scene Museum

From Catania, start from Viale Cristoforo Fioravante in the direction of the SS192, continue for 6,6 km and take the SS417 for Via Nunziatella in Caltagirone. Continue for 60 km then continue on viale Regina Margherita in the direction of via SS. Salvatore where at n. 28 there is the Nativity Scene Museum.