Caltagirone, Italy

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terracotta industry, evidence of which can be seen in the great tiled steps which connect the upper and lower parts of the town. The town stands on the site of a Stone Age settlement which existed in the third millennium before Christ. After they conquered it in the ninth century, the Arabs named the town Qalat-al-Ghiran (castle above the caves), from which its present name has developed. After being completely destroyed in the earthquake of 1693, Caltagirone was rebuilt in the 17th and 18th centuries and this gave the town its Baroque character. The modern town is built across the southern hill, while the original medieval town center, rebuilt in the 18th century, lies on the northern hill.

Cultural events

Festival of the Resurrection "La Giunta" (Easter Sunday); "La scala illuminata" on the great steps (24th-25th July); Giacomo procession "La Festa di San Giacomo Apostolo" (23rd-25th July).