Page 220 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Sicily

218  TR A VELLERS ’ NEEDS
SHOPS AND MARKETS

All the most well-known fashion designer cannoli pastries, cassata cakes and torroncini
shops can be found in the larger Sicilian (almond nougat). Keep an eye out for the
cities (such as Palermo, Catania and delicatessens selling local specialities, such
Syracuse), together with smart chain stores as spiced capers, ventresca (tuna in oil), tuna
stocking household articles and furniture. (tonno), salted mullet roe (bottarga) and
In tourist resorts it is possible to find shops aubergine caponata. You can also buy
specializing in Sicilian handicrafts, in excellent produce such as organic fruit, olive
particular ceramics, although the best items oil, honey and fruit jam at farmhouses
are sold in the places where they are made. offering accommodation for visitors. Another
Sicilian pastry shops sell delicious cakes, good and typically Sicilian purchase is salt.

dinner services, jugs and
ornamental plates, they make
furniture, such as tables made
of lava stone, and majolica tiles.
Many artisans work in wrought
iron. Among the good workshops
near Giarre and Giardini Naxos
is the Laboratorio Patanè and
in Cefalù, A Lumera.
Two traditional puppet­makers
still active are Opera dei Pupi
Vaccaro in Syracuse and
Vincenzo Argento in Palermo,
whose studios are open to the
public. Another gift is the coppola,
A bustling open-air market in the Catania city centre the traditional Sicilian cap.
Opening Hours Handicrafts
Open-Air Markets
Generally, shops, boutiques and Sicilian ceramics are probably
department stores are open the most highly appreciated If you want to experience the
from 8 or 9am to 1pm, and in handicrafts product of all. Light atmosphere of the old quarters
the afternoon opening hours blue, yellow and green are the of Sicilian towns and buy local
are 4–8pm. In the summer dominant colours in the lovely produce, you have to go to the
these hours may be extended, ceramics made in Caltagirone; outdoor markets. In Palermo, the
particularly in tourist resorts. In they are richly decorated with Vucciria market, immortalized
the cities, most shops close for volutes, flowers and geometric by artist Renato Guttuso, is at its
two or three weeks in August. motifs. Tiles also come in most atmospheric when the
Seaside resort towns, on the a variety of styles. The multi­ fishermen are setting up their
other hand, usually operate on coloured majolica tiles bear stalls. In Via Argenteria pause at
a seasonal basis, opening only 9th­century motifs and can the stall of Antonino Giannusa,
from June to September. be used as decorative objects. who offers an amazing range of
In Caltagirone, Sciacca, Santo preserves as well as an excellent
Stefano di Camastra and Burgio,
How to Pay
the main production centres for
In the larger cities, the leading striking Sicilian ceramics, there
shops and department stores are shops and workshops selling
accept major credit cards, plates, jugs, tiles, vases, mugs
especially Visa and MasterCard, and statuettes. The Laboratorio
whereas in the towns and Branciforti in Caltagirone
villages many shops still prefer makes jugs, vases and dishes
cash payment. In Palermo, with traditional motifs.
Catania and Syracuse, some At Sciacca, Salvatore Sabella
top hotels have deals with translates folk designs onto
shops and restaurants for plates, bottles and lamps to
discounts of up to 40 per cent. make original works of art at
The concierge will be able to Ceramiche Artistiche Sabella.
tell you if your hotel takes part The Arti gianato del Sole also Renato Guttuso’s La Vucciria (1974), a
in this scheme. has a good range: as well as depiction of Palermo’s marketplace

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