The Roman Villa & Caltagirone

After breakfast, you’ll meet with your private English-speaking driver to enjoy a tour of the Roman Villa located in Piazza Armerina. This place, with its almost 4000 sq meters of original marble mosaics, represents what is now the best preserved and most extensive set of in situ Roman mosaics in the world.

The mosaics of this Villa are an excellent example of the IV century AD aristocratic daily life. This visit is a journey through Roman mythology, lifestyle and architecture of the 4th century AD. The villa comprises more than 40 rooms, almost all of them artistically decorated with mosaic floors, including the most famous mosaic “The Ten Girls in Bikinis’.

The second part of this itinerary includes the tour of Caltagirone. When you say the name of the town to a Sicilian, he or she will immediately think of a surprising array of colors taking form in objects made of terracotta. This beautiful baroque town became very prosperous during the Arab times thanks to the marvelous and colorful handmade majolicas. We will first visit the public Gardens with your first glimpse of polychrome majolica and then will have a pleasant promenade to see the stunning staircase Scalinata Di Santa Maria del Monte, symbol of Caltagirone with its 142 steps, all decorated with majolicas. During the tour we will also be able to see beautiful baroque facades of noble palaces and churches while wandering through the characteristic alleyways. If interested, it is also possible to visit a ceramic workshop and a terracotta Nativity scene made by a local artist.

Please note: the Villa is a popular place to visit and some dates reach capacity well in advance, so scheduling a reservation early is strongly encouraged.