Caltagirone, part of the Metropolitan City of Catania, is a town straddling eastern and central Sicily that overlooks the island's two largest plains, those of Catania and Gela. It is located, in fact, in the southeastern Erei Mountains, in the Gela-Catania foreland, also close to the Iblei Mountains. Historically it is considered one of the first settlements on the island whose origins probably date back to the 3rd millennium BC, and much evidence of this past remains: the remains of a Neolithic hut village on the hill of Sant'Ippolito; the necropolis discovered in contrada Montagna and contrada degli Angeli, from the 2nd millennium BC; other necropolis discovered in the city's surroundings can be dated to the Sicilian and Sicelian period, thus confirming that Caltagirone was a Greek colony (8th-7th centuries BC). The first manufacture of majolica dates back to Arab rule, alongside the more ancient manufacture of ceramics, which for centuries was the main economic resource of the area. It is still known for its distinctive pottery production, to which is added the beauty of the late Baroque historic center, awarded UNESCO World Heritage status in 2002. A visit can begin with the Cathedral Basilica of San Giuliano of Norman origin, continuing with the Santuario del Santissimo Crocifisso del Soccorso, Terrana Abbey and the Monumental Cemetery of Caltagirone. Among the civil architecture, however, Villa Vittorio Emanuele, the Caltagirone Station (1892) and the Stairway of Santa Maria del Monte deserve attention. Among the museums, the Ceramics Museum and the Contemporary Ceramics Museum stand out, as well as the Luigi Sturzo Civic Museums (born in Caltagirone). Those who want to delve into traditions, such as tourists and returning emigrants, can do so through annual events and gastronomy. In the former case, one can participate in the procession on the occasion of the Easter junta, the celebrations in honor of the Madonna di Conadomini in May (which result in the popular "rusèdda"), the celebrations for the Madonna del Ponte in August, and the feast of the patron saint St. James between late July and early August. As for typical cuisine, the following are worth tasting: "arancini", "ccartucciati", covered pizzas, "piruna" of leavened dough, "muffuletta" at Christmas time, cassate, cannoli, briosche, "cudduredda" (Christmas sweets shaped like buccellati and filled with an almond filling), "cubbattara" (sweet sticks, nougats of Arab tradition), "cuccìa" (cooked wheat), "maccu vìrdi" (green macco) and "lijatina" (pork jelly). Before saying goodbye to Caltagirone, it is worth taking the opportunity to relax in the Bosco di Santo Pietro Nature Reserve, Monte San Giorgio Park and the Ganzaria Mountain.