Caltagirone Nativity Scenes and Sicilian Christmas Cookies!

Buongiorno a tutti! I hope that you are all well and had a very spooky Halloween. Well, the bad weather has officially hit Italy now which means one thing - Christmas is coming! I know that our American amici will be well into the festive spirit now as they prepare for Thanksgiving and in Sicily preparations are being made for the traditional Nativity scenes that appear across the island in the month of December.

One city in particular that attracts thousands of visitors each year to its Nativity displays is Caltagirone. This Baroque town in the province of Catania has long been famous for its beautiful pottery, in particular its ceramics and terracotta, and actually takes its name from the Arabic words for 'Hill of Vases'. The city's main landmark is the staircase of Santa Maria del Monte which was built in 1608 in the old section of the town. Each of the staircase's 142 steps is adorned with different hand-decorated ceramics using varying styles and figures from the town's ancient tradition of pottery making. To celebrate Caltagirone's Patron Saint 'San Giacomo', or St. James, on the 25th July the steps are lined with terracotta oil lamps which are lit simultaneously by hundreds of locals creating a spectacular effect.

For the month of December the town comes alive with beautiful Nativity scenes made entirely of terracotta which are displayed throughout Caltagirone, some residents even open their homes to show their own intricate displays. One fine example of a Nativity scene is 'Il Presepe Animato in Terracotta' which can be found in the Church of Santa Maria del Carmine. This Nativity display features moving figures and extends over 80 square metres - the largest in Italy. On the 25th and 26th December and the 6th January there will be a 'live' Nativity scene in the town's historic centre featuring more than 200 local residents dressed in costume.

Throughout the month of December there will be Christmas markets and processions in the town such as that on the 'Festa dell'Immacolata' on the 8th December. For the two days prior to this feast day there is a delicious aroma throughout the town as bakeries sell the traditional 'muffulette' - a local bread made with fennel seeds.

Any of our friends still looking for inspiration for their Christmas presents should take a look at our new Etna Collection at http://www.sicilianconnections.com/jewellery_13914.html. These necklaces, bracelets and earrings are handmade with real volcanic lava and Swarovski crystals. To thank you for your continued support we are also offering our followers a 10 percent discount until Christmas - just enter the code 'AMICIZIA' at checkout.

So, Happy Thanksgiving to all of our friends in the US and I hope that all of you across the world are beginning to feel that festive spirit. Don't forget to use our recipe for Sicilian Christmas Cookies, or 'Mastazzoli' on last December's blog at - http://sicilianconnections.blogspot.co.uk/2011/12/tis-season-of-sicilian-christmas.html.

A presto!

Debra
www.sicilianconnections.com

P.S. If you enjoy reading my blog please become a follower by registering at the Google 'Join this site' icon on the right of the blog page. Grazie mille for your support!!