Page 429 - The Rough Guide of Sicily

flowers and emblems – and then runs down towards the large Giardino Pubblico (a
10min walk), where you’ll find the last word on the 5000-year-old tradition of local
ceramics in the Museo della Ceramica. The gardens themselves are worth a whirl in
any case, the centrepiece being a wonderful Art Nouveau bandstand, overlooked by a
couple of kiosk cafés. This is one of several elegant examples in Caltagirone of the

“Liberty” style – you’ll also pass the Art Nouveau theatre outside the main entrance to
the gardens.

ARRIVAL AND INFORMATION: CALTAGIRONE

By bus The bus station is in the lower town, 2km below the old centre and connected
to it by half-hourly local bus.

Destinations Catania (1–2 hourly Mon–Sat, 4 daily Sun; 1hr 30min); Enna (2 daily
Mon–Fri, 1 daily Sun; 1hr 25min); Gela (2 daily Mon–Sat; 1hr–1hr 10min);
Grammichele (2 daily Mon–Sat; 30–40min); Piazza Armerina (5 daily Mon–Sat; 1hr–
1hr 20min); Ragusa (2 daily Mon–Sat; 2hr).

By train The train station is adjacent to the bus station.

Destinations Catania (7–8 daily Mon–Sat; 1hr 40min); Gela (5 daily; 1hr);

Grammichele (5 daily; 15min).

By car Driving right into the upper town is best avoided, and parking is easiest at the
large free space off Viale Regina Elena, near San Giorgio church, from where it’s a
5min walk down Via Luigi Sturzo into the centre.

Information The main tourist office, Via Volta Libertini 4 (Mon–Fri 8am–2.30pm &

Wed 3–6.30pm; 0933 53 09), is down an alley just off Piazza Umberto, and there’s
a useful information desk inside Galleria Luigi Sturzo, Piazza Municipio (Mon–Sat
9am–7pm, Wed 8am–2.30pm & 3–6.30pm, Sun 9am–1pm & 3–7pm; 0933 41 365,
comune.caltagirone.ct.it).

ACCOMMODATION

Il Piccolo Attico Via Infermeria 82 0933 21 588 or 320 077 3315,
ilpiccoloattico.it. One large double room with a bathroom, and one attic apartment
composed of two double rooms, with great views on all sides, taking in Etna.

Generous breakfasts. €60
La Pilozza Infiorata Via San Salvatore 97 0933 22 162 or 339 735 2861,

lapilozzainfiorata.com. Rather fancy B&B in a restored “Liberty”-style palazzo with
six individually styled en-suite rooms, three with cooking facilities. There’s no view
to speak of – the house is tucked into an old-town street – but the rooms are spacious
and comfortable, and there’s a small terrace. €75