The Baroness and the real Caltagirone

In Book #2 of the Vespers Trilogy, Malice Stalks the Leopard, one of the major characters is The Baroness, an old love of Ferdinand de Lerida.  She is presented in the book as the widow of the Count of Caltagirone.  Naturally, she's a fictitious person who was fun to write, but the real family who ruled this region was powerful and always part of the king's counsel.  The city is also one of the oldest in Sicily, dating back to before 1000 B.C.


Today, Caltagirone is known for its ceramics, the beauty of which date back to Arab times in Sicily - 9th and 10th century - because the Arabs brought the greens, blues and yellows to the industry.  They also brought a sophistication to the ceramics with geometric designs and graceful  depictions of animals and plants.  This is typical of Sicilian ceramics today and what this area is famous for.


And of course, the name itself is said to be of Moorish derivation - the name Caltagirone means Castle or Fortress of Vases.

Puglia anyone? Roman, Byzantine, Norman history up to Gallipoli

Apulia, or Puglia as the Italians call it, has something for everyone.  If you're a historian, like I am, or just a plain history buff, Apulia has it all.  From Roman to 20th century.  Not to mention, fabulous food, seafood, pasta, fresh everything.  The region is known for its wine and its olive oil and it's beautiful besides.  Check this article out from USA Today


http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/travel/destinations/2007-04-24-puglia-italy_N.htm