Hi, I’m Giulia,
I study history and folk traditions and I am hopelessly in love with my beautiful Sicily and all the stories about it.
Today I want to talk to you about my favourite legend: have you heard about Testa di Moro? Many people know it, being one of the most popular and loved souvenirs by tourists, but few people know the macabre legend of the famous and decorated ceramic vase.
The legend of the Testa di Moro
Walking through the streets of Sicilian historical centres it is very easy to come across these wonderful works of art. The Testa di Moro, also known as “Grasta”, has enriched the Sicilian balconies for centuries.
Its tradition is millenary, many artists have been inspired by its ancient legend to create unique and inimitable works of art.
The protagonists of this legend are: a young Moor and a Sicilian girl. We find ourselves around the year 1100, the period of the domination of the Moors in Sicily, in the Arab quarter of Palermo “Al Hàlisah” (which means the chosen one) today called Kalsa.
A beautiful young girl lived there and spent her days all alone in the house, dedicating her attention to the care of the plants on her balcony. From the top of her lush balcony she was soon noticed by a young Moor, who fell madly in love with her and openly declared his ardent passion for her.
The young woman, accustomed to a solitary life, was pleasantly struck by this promise of love and reciprocated her feelings by giving herself to him.
After a short time, the young girl discovered that the Moor was hiding a very serious secret. His heart was not totally free as he had told her, he had a wife and children waiting for him in the East and the time had come to return home.
The maiden was destroyed to learn such news and embittered by that betrayed love which was now about to abandon her, she was seized with anger which inexorably pushed her to revenge.
So in the night, while the Moor was sleeping, she struck him mortally so he would never abandon her again. She also decided to cut off his head, creating with it a vase, where she placed a basil sprout inside.
The maiden knew that this perfumed plant (from the Greek “Basileus – King”) represented the herb of the sovereigns; in this way, in spite of the terrible act performed, she continued to take care of her beloved as if he were her king.
She decided to place the Moor’s Head on her balcony, dedicating herself every day to the care of the plant that was growing luxuriantly.
The neighbours, pervaded by the scent of the plant, were soon envious of it and had terracotta pots made that were the same features as the one lovingly cared for by the young girl.
Today the Testa di Moro par excellence wears a crown in memory of the protagonist of the sad story.
Sicilian ceramics: the Testa di Moro of Caltagirone
Sicily is famous for its ceramics, in particular the Teste di Moro di Caltagirone, the main place for the production of high quality ceramics. A production that has become a symbol of the city, also because of the numerous Greek, Byzantine, Arabic and Norman influences, which have developed the precious art of Sicilian ceramists.
Nowadays also the fashion world (the Dolce & Gabbana collection is an example of this), has captured the artistic essence of these unique creations, just as Dolce & Gabbana did with the intention of enhancing the territory.
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