About the city and the twinning
About Caltagirone
Caltagirone is a historic hill town in southeastern Sicily, Italy, known for its ceramic workshops and Baroque architecture. Its historic centre is part of the Late Baroque Towns of the Val di Noto, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that reflects the region’s reconstruction after the earthquake of 1693.
The town’s ceramic tradition is especially visible on the Santa Maria del Monte Staircase, whose 142 steps link the lower town to the church above. The fronts of the steps are decorated with colourful majolica tiles whose patterns draw on centuries of ceramic design. Each summer, lanterns illuminate the staircase during celebrations honouring Saint James, the town’s patron saint.
Twinning with Bethlehem
In June 2022, Bethlehem Mayor Hanna Hanania and Caltagirone Mayor Fabio Roccuzzo signed a twinning agreement. The signing brought together two cities with UNESCO-listed heritage and formalised ties of friendship and cooperation. An olive tree was planted on the occasion as a symbol of peace and of the longstanding ties between the Palestinian and Italian peoples.