Staircase of Santa María del Montem, Caltagirone,italy
Santa Maria del Monte is a Roman Catholic parish church located in Caltagirone, Sicily. It stands in the oldest district of the town, elevated above its surrounding streets. Originally, the church was dedicated to the Virgin of the Assumption. Before the construction of the Duomo of San Giuliano, it served as the town’s main church. Over time, the building underwent many renovations to preserve its structure and beauty.
Importantly, the church rises at the top of the famous Scala di Santa Maria del Monte. Each step of this long staircase is decorated with colorful maiolica tiles. Moreover, the church’s west-facing entrance opens onto a piazza, while the stairs descend southeast. This arrangement creates a striking and symbolic journey from the lower town to the sacred site above.
Inside, the church showcases several ceiling frescoes painted in the early 19th century. Notably, the Vaccaro brothers depicted heroines like Judith, Rebecca, Esther, and Abigail. According to Christian tradition, these women prefigure the Virgin Mary’s virtues and mission.
In addition to its frescoes, the church holds several significant works of art. For example, Domenico Gagini sculpted the Madonna del Salterio, which adorns the main altar. The Boscarelli Sturzo family commissioned the Presentation of Mary, a vibrant altarpiece nearby. Furthermore, Paolo Nigro created a wooden sculpture of Christ at the Column in 1592.
Perhaps most treasured is the 13th-century icon of the Madonna di Conadomini. On one side it shows the Madonna and Child, while the other side depicts the Risen Christ. As a result, pilgrims often pause before it in prayer and quiet reflection. Ultimately, Santa Maria del Monte remains a spiritual and artistic centerpiece of Caltagirone.
Staircase of Santa María del Montem, Caltagirone, italy
Airways
The nearest airport to Caltagirone is Catania Fontanarossa Airport (81 km), which offers domestic and international flights. From the airport, visitors can take a bus or taxi to reach Caltagirone directly. Railways
Caltagirone has its own railway station (Stazione di Caltagirone), located about 1.5 km from the base of the Santa Maria del Monte staircase. Regular trains connect the town to Catania, Gela, and other regional cities. Roadways
Caltagirone is connected by regional roads and highways. Travelers coming by car or bus can use the SS417 highway from Catania or SS124 from Ragusa. The staircase is located in the old town center, and parking is available within walking distance.
The main bus stop in Caltagirone is around 1 km from the staircase, with local and regional bus services operated by companies such as AST (Azienda Siciliana Trasporti).
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