Regional Museum of Ceramics of Caltagirone

Il Caltagirone ceramic museum, a structure that contains all the secrets of this art, starting from prehistory onwards. On the other hand, Caltagirone ceramics have always been known and appreciated throughout the world, so a permanent collection dedicated to all art lovers. For those who don't want to miss these wonders, here is all the information you need to visit the museum ceramics of Caltagirone.

History of the Caltagirone ceramic museum

The ceramic museum is the second most important in Italy dedicated to this art, after that of Faenza: inside there are well-collected 2500 finds which tell the evolution of ceramics from prehistory, given that the first finds are from the XNUMXth century BC, up to the modern era.

The museum was inaugurated in 1965, precisely to include in a single location all the historical finds related to ceramics that had been found in various and numerous archaeological excavations in the area and beyond. The structure that houses the museum, however, is a building that was built in the XNUMXs and was designed precisely to house such a rich and solemn collection, as demonstrated by the elegant columned portico that is located right outside the main entrance to the museum, which creates a beautiful and evocative arch.

The architecture and any works of art present in the Caltagirone ceramic museum

Inside the museum has seven different rooms. The first is the teaching room, inside which you can admire a general overview of ceramics, from the beginning of its production to the present day. The oldest piece in this room is a vase which dates back to the XNUMXth century BC

The second room, however, is dedicated to prehistoric pottery and here you can admire pieces of Byzantine, Greek and Sicilian workmanship. In the third and fourth rooms there are ceramics relating to the medieval period: you can also admire the production kilns, even if they are reproductions.

Then there is the Renaissance room, with many examples of ceramics made in the typical colors of Caltagirone. The baroque ceramic room collects all the products made up to the XNUMXth century. Finally, the main room is the one that preserves all the ceramics, mainly from Caltagirone, made between the end of the XNUMXth century and the end of the XNUMXth.

What is possible to do in the surroundings or inside the Caltagirone ceramic museum

A visit to the city will allow tourists to discover much more than the Caltagirone ceramic museum. A guided tour can only start from basilica of San Giuliano, the main church of the city: it is an original Norman structure which, however, due to the numerous earthquakes in the area, has undergone several reconstructions.

The church of the Signore del Soccorso dates back to the early eighteenth century and was born for one legend who says that a sacred painting was found in the area affected by the construction. From the point of view of civil architecture, however, the Caltagirone station is worth mentioning, which was built in the second half of the nineteenth century and retains its Art Nouveau style. Very nice too Politeama Ingrassia theatre, dedicated to the famous Sicilian comedian: it is housed in a structure dating back to 1907 and perfectly preserved. Finally, do not miss the exhibition of nativity scenes of Caltagirone.

How is it possible to get to Caltagirone

Those who wish to visit the Caltagirone ceramic museum can do so by starting with their own driving feel. From Catania you need to take the Ss417, while those leaving from Palermo should prefer the A19 and then continue the journey on the E932. From Messina the most suitable road is the A18, while from Agrigento it is better to take the SS115. For those moving from Trapani it is necessary to follow the E90, from Siracusa the Ss385, from Enna finally the Ss124.

Caltagirone has its own train station which is located along the line that connects Catania to Gela, so it is easy to reach the town also on the train. For those who prefer the bus, it is possible to travel on the local ones made available by the AST company.