the enlighted staircase

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On Saint James'eve, in Caltagirone one of the most important city in Italy for its extra fine ceramics the famous Scalinata di Santa Maria del Monte is illuminated by thousands of little oil lamp put inside little paper-containers of different coulours.
The “Scalinata” is the most important staircase in Caltagirone. It was built on 1608 to connect the high town with the down town. The Scalinata is 50 metres high and has 142 step of lava-stones. Each step is decorated with ceramic tiles with typical Sicilian historical designs. Each design is unique and never reproduced on other steps.
On the 24th of July those thousands of oil lamp are positioned to make a huge imagine realized by a different famous artist each year. The most usual imagine is the symbol of the city: an eagle with a shield with a cross on its breast.     
At night when all the lamps are lighted, this huge fire tapestry becomes a delightful spectacle.

When: 24 July

Where: Caltagirone – Sicily