| The
territory surrounding Calitri abounds in clay of top quality
and plasticity. Since most ancient times (handmade pottery
dating back to the 4th and 3rd centuries B.C. has been discovered)
a considerable number of workmen have specialized in the art
of ceramics. |
| In
867, after most of southern Italy had been conquered by Byzantium,
Greek monasteries were founded which soon came in contact
with those of the Benedictines: the Byzantines, among other
things, introduced the art of ceramics in this region. |
| The
technique of "half majolica" or "engobed faience"
became particularly extensive. It consisted of plumbiferous
coating applied to pieces previously covered with an engobe
(white soil), decorated with graffiti and subsequently covered
with a shiny crystalline glaze. |
| Recently
in the Calitri territory, where Benedictine monasteries once
stood (namely, San Zaccaria and Santa Maria in Elce) and in
the Castle halls, pottery fragments were found along with
other evidence of "mezza majolica" dating back to
1200 and 1300. |
| However,
the earliest documentation regarding the existence of operational
kilns in Calitri dates back to the 16th century; there is
documentary evidence of a kiln in the postern gate district
in 1688. Two more kilns operating in the Calitri countryside
are documented for the year 1737. |
| It
is believed that in the 17th century, thanks to the intervention
of a bishop, craftsmen from Faenza came to Calitri and settled
in a street which was named after their provenance, Via dei
Faenzari (Faenzari Street). |
| . |
|
Ceramic
products of the 4th and 3rd centuries B.C. (to the side)
and modern ones |
