Staircase of Santa María del Monte, Decorative staircase in Caltagirone, Italy.
The Staircase of Santa María del Monte connects the lower town with the church at the top of the hill, and every single step is covered with painted ceramic tiles. These tiles display floral designs and geometric shapes throughout the entire path.
This stairway was built in the early 17th century to create a new passage from the town center toward the church. Decades later, it was redesigned to make the climb easier for people using it.
The steps display hand-painted tiles created by local artisans, with patterns and colors that tell stories connected to the region. Walking up means experiencing these decorative details at close range, one step at a time.
The climb is steady but not overly steep, so take your time and go at your own pace. On hot days, try to visit early in the morning or late in the afternoon when the sun is less intense on the steps.
Each set of ceramic tiles displays a different artistic hand, since many different artisans worked on the decoration over time. This means every section you climb offers its own visual surprises if you look closely.
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