Caltagirone and Surroundings

Walking along the central Via Roma, just a few steps from the historic center, you will find:

• The Vittorio Emanuele II Public Garden, dating back to the 18th century, bordered by the beautiful majolica balcony. Inside the garden, you can see the Liberty-style gazebo used for summer concerts;
• The Regional Museum of Ceramics (entrance Via Giardini Pubblici);
• The Bonaiuto Little Theater, an eastern viewpoint over the plain of Catania from the 18th century;
• The 18th-century majolica balcony by the ceramist Benedetto Ventimiglia;

Before reaching the Ponte S. Francesco, which leads into the historic center, you will encounter:

• The Tondo Vecchio, a western viewpoint over the plain of Gela (18th century);
• The Church of St. Francis of Assisi at the Immaculate Conception – Episcopal Curia – The Diocesan Museum;

Along the road to Palazzo Spadaro Libertini, after the bridge on Via Roma 10, you will find the Bourbon Prison, home to the Civic Museums and the Luigi Sturzo Art Gallery;

Proceeding straight towards the Santa Maria del Monte Staircase, before reaching Via Principe Amedeo di Savoia, at the corner of this street with Via Taranto, you will encounter Palazzo Libertini di S. Marco, the seat of the Department of Culture of the Municipality of Caltagirone and other institutional entities. Occasionally, exhibitions are held in this museum.

Via Principe Amedeo di Savoia, rich in elegant ceramic workshops and shops, welcomes visitors with the imposing Palazzo Crescimanno di Albafiorita and its 18th-century courtyard. If you have the chance to enter the courtyard, perhaps drawn by the beautiful ceramic shop housed there, you must not miss the left wing where the Honor Staircase to the main floor (first floor) is located, decorated with ceramics in the typical “ornate” style by the ceramist and historian Prof. Antonino Ragona, former director of the Regional Museum of Ceramics, dating back to the 1950s-60s.

Continuing Towards the Santa Maria del Monte Staircase, You Will Find on the Left:

• Piazza del Municipio, where you can see:
  • Galleria Sturzo, once the Senatorial House, the seat of the city Senate that governed Caltagirone until the end of feudalism, which ended in Sicily in 1812/13;
  • Corte Capitaniale (17th century), now an exhibition venue;
  • Palazzo Gravina Pace;
  • Palazzo di Città, the City Hall, formerly the Palace of the Prince of Bellaprima.

Reaching the front of the Santa Maria del Monte Staircase, you will find Via S. Bonaventura on the left and Via Luigi Sturzo on the right.

Heading up Via San Bonaventura to reach Palazzo Spadaro Libertini, you will notice:

• Church of St. Joseph, built on the remains of the Church of St. Barbara;
• Palazzo Taranto, at number 12, where you can admire the courtyard.

Finally, you reach number 22 on Via San Bonaventura, which houses the imposing Palazzo Spadaro Libertini. Here, by appointment, you can take a guided tour that starts from the entrance of the Palazzo and then the 16th-century courtyard, to admire the Baroque staircase, the first floor with its hypogeum, and the second floor where the Representative Halls are located.

Alternatively, you can enter Palazzo Spadaro Libertini from Via Bonanno 1 (Carruggio), located behind the Santa Maria del Monte Staircase, after the Vicolo S. Giuseppe, in homage to the church, and along the Spadaro Garden, the only garden in the historic center.

After Palazzo Spadaro Libertini, climbing on foot to reach the Church of St. Bonaventura, you will find:

• Palazzo Secusio Nicastro, at Via San Bonaventura 38.
• Votive Shrine of Maria SS di Conadomini, at Via S. Bonaventura 41.

Finally, you reach Largo della Croce, where the Church of St. Bonaventura, dating back to the 16th century, is located, along with two votive shrines dedicated to the Madonna of Health and St. Francis of Assisi.

Museums in Caltagirone:

• Regional Museum of Ceramics – Via Giardini Pubblici
• Bourbon Prison, home of the Civic Museums and the Luigi Sturzo Art Gallery – Via Roma 10
• Palazzo Libertini di S. Marco – occasional exhibition venue – Via Volta Libertini, entrance from Via Taranto
• Corte Capitaniale, Piazza Municipio
• Sala Milazzo, venue for “experiential” events – Palazzo di Città, Piazza Municipio
• Museum of Contemporary Art (MAC), former Women’s Hospital on Via Luigi Sturzo.

Free Tourist Assistance is provided by Mr. Gesualdo Floridia – 334/3536562 He is also the owner of the VVF HOTEL.

Where to Stay in Caltagirone:

WF2 – Luxury Rooms

• Piazza Principe Umberto I, nr. 19, 3rd floor (no elevator) in Palazzo Crescimanno di Albafiorita;
• 4 double rooms for single or double use;
• 2 double rooms for single, double, or triple use;
• On-site breakfast, sweet/savory upon request, no frozen products;
• Availability of vegan and gluten-free products;
• Availability of personalized chauffeur service (for a fee);
• Contacts for info and reservations:
  • 331-4100492 – corporate;
  • 333-5343516 – Vanessa Floridia;
  • 328-6813936 – Veronica Floridia;
  • Booking.com

B&B dei Mori, Via Asilo Infantile 2, cell 338 8666993

B&B Attico Taranto, Via S. Bonaventura 12, Contact

B&B Palazzo Taranto, Palazzo Taranto, Via S. Giuseppe 1

Where to Eat in Caltagirone:

• Ristorante la Piazzetta – Via Vespri 20, Tel 0933 24178
• Bar Bistrot L’Angolo, Via Taranto