Discovering the ceramics of Squillace

A place of history, archaeology, artistic and traditional ceramics: Squillace, in the province of Catanzaro, lies along the Costa degli Aranci, in the gulf of the same name, and amazes visitors with its terracotta creations.

Squillace ceramics are among the most valuable artefacts of Calabrian artistic craftsmanship. Just like the creations of Seminara (RC), the artistic and traditional ceramics of Squillace tell a thousand-year-old story.

Ready to discover Squillace ceramics in the medieval village?

We reach Squillace, the village of ceramics, along the road that from the Ionian coast climbs the hill among the olive trees, age-old symbols of the landscape along with the clays and red clays. The latter constitute the raw material from which the prized Squillace ceramics, among the village's most identifying symbols, are made. The ancient tradition of terracotta, which in these parts dates back to the times of Magna Graecia, when the entire Gulf of Squillace was under the government of the important colony of Skylletion, which later became the Roman Scolacium and the medieval home of Cassiodorus, who defined the art of ceramics as ‘’a good of public utility‘’.

Squillace, ceramics and ancient history go hand in hand, you can tell right away! From the top of the village, the view sweeps over the entire Costa degli Aranci, which in Norman times was defended by the imposing Squillace Castle (11th century). Some elements of the original structure are preserved, such as the large rectangular tower (over 10 metres wide) that constitutes the Norman fortress in itself, while the upper floors have been destroyed. Over the years, archaeological excavations below the castle have revealed the presence of a Late Antique necropolis (6th century) with 22 tombs with rich grave goods. The finds can be seen in the museum wing, where the remains of the oldest Squillace pottery can also be appreciated.

A contribution on the evolution of Squillace's artistic and traditional ceramics comes from the history of the Diocese of Squillace, holder of valuable artefacts, as well as monumental buildings of great importance for Calabrian monasticism (such as the Charterhouse of Serra San Bruno): among the 28 original churches, the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, erected in 1096 by Count Ruggiero I d'Altavilla, stands out today. Inside, one can admire a 16th-century baptismal font, the sepulchral monument to Bishop Capece Galeota and an 18th-century painting by Domenico Basile, as well as the relics of Saint Agazio Martyr. Among the churches, the Monastery of Santa Chiara, the Baldaya, Maida Chillà and Pepe palaces, the art of Squillace ceramics survives over the centuries, handed down from one generation to the next.

From Piazza Castello we move to the adjacent alleys to get to know the craftsmen of Squillace ceramics and visit the workshops that animate the village.

It is they, the master potters of Squillace ceramics, who recount the steps that transformed the more archaic working technique, of Greek-Byzantine origin, into the late Middle Ages and Renaissance technique, replacing it with the enamelling typical of modern majolica. If in these parts the individual artefact is called ‘’argàgnu‘’, it goes without saying that the craftsman who makes it is the argagnàru, of clear Byzantine derivation.

The artistic and traditional ceramics of Squillace were known throughout Italy from the earliest times, so much so that in 1489 the King of Naples Alfonso of Aragon, on a visit to Squillace Castle, commissioned a local artist to make an amphora with his own portrait, the title ‘’Duke of Calabria‘’ and the Aragonese eagle. This episode testifies to the very high value of Squillace ceramics and its high-ranking patronage, even in the regional commercial circuit.

With their unmistakable style, engobed and graffitoed, artistic ceramics from Squillace soon became a ‘’status symbol‘’ of the wealthy classes of southern Italy, who could no longer do without large plates or typical vases with plant and animal figures in their homes. From the 18th century onwards, the popular faience (the ‘’faenze‘’), earthenware covered with stanniferous enamel (majolica), also developed; while the pignatàri continued to produce engobed pottery for poorer and more popular use. From this moment on, Squillace ceramics conquered the world and collectors came to buy them directly in the Ionian town.