Since 1600, Monreale, in addition to continuing the tradition of mosaics, has also been engaged in ceramic craftsmanship. A strong and enduring artistic tradition is evidenced by the precious composition of mosaic tiles depicting the stories from the Old Testament and the life of Christ inside the Cathedral, including the three apses with three levels of intertwined arches enriched with polychromatic decorations obtained from the skillful use of burnished limestone, gray-black lava, and red bricks in horizontal bands. The arches, originating from columns resting on high bases, are adorned with differently sized and designed roundels that simulate finely decorated blind rose windows.
The Monreale Art Institute and other schools of master ceramists are currently committed to transmitting the necessary skills for working with terracotta, casting, molding, hand shaping, and pressing. To enhance the tradition of these ceramics, every artist-ceramist in the Norman town offers their production with personalized designs, bringing creativity to the classic forms of typical ceramics.
Craft workshops scattered throughout the extensive territory are located in the historic Via Torres, in the center of Monreale, in the Ciambra neighborhood, and along the Via Circonvallazione.
The historic Via Torres, leading from the municipal parking lot to the city's historic center, is full of artisan workshops where craftsmen work and display their pieces and artworks. This street is adorned by the presence of the walls of the Monumental Complex of the Cathedral and also serves as an ideal place to showcase local productions to tourists and visitors. In many of these workshops, young ceramists continue to uphold the tradition by introducing new techniques and models.
CERAMIC SHOPS
Le Ceramiche di Elisa Messina
Via Ludovico Torres n°36
https://instagram.com/elisa.messina?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
Nicolo Giuliano
Via Circonvallazione n°55
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100071913373322
Le terrecotte di Umberto Bruno
Piazza Vittorio Emanuele n°16
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100042114414117
Le ceramiche di Bisanzio bottega d'arte
Via Dante Alighieri n°10
https://www.facebook.com/la.bisanzio
Ezzina Chokri
Via Torres n°38
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100079655831087
Ceramiche d'arte La Carrubella
Piazza Vittorio Emanuele n°30
https://www.facebook.com/alessandramoralesceramichedart
Le terrecotte di rorò
Via Antonio Veneziano n°138
https://www.facebook.com/terrecottediror
La Bottega dei Normanni
Via Dante Alighieri n°6
Bruno Francesco
Via Odigitria n°1
Ceramiche Ro&Mar
Via Linea Ferrata n°29
