Sicilian cart

A Sicilian carts (Italian Carrettos siciliano, Sicilian Carrettu sicilianu ) is a two-wheeled cart made ​​of wood, which is lavishly decorated with carvings and paintings. Pulled by donkeys or horses such carts were until the middle of last century course of transport in Sicily.

History

The two-wheeled carts were introduced by the Greeks in Sicily. The tradition of painted Carretti siciliani began at the end of the 18th century. As an example of the carriages of the wealthy landowners served. With artful carvings and colorful, detail -rich paintings should get a magnificent appearance, the carts of ordinary people.

Woodcarvers, blacksmiths and painters specialized in the design of the carts and gave their skills from generation to generation. In addition to decorative ornaments scenes from mythology, from history and from daily life in Sicily were shown preferred. Over time, each province developed its own unique style of painting.

At the beginning of the 19th century, the carts were common and there were several thousands of them in Sicily. The Carretti del lavoro served to transport goods such as wood, wine and food. Filled with ice of Etna they were also used as refrigerated trucks.

The Carretti de gara, where the draft animals were festively decorated, served on festive occasions such as weddings to transport people.

Customs

Today, sometimes the three-wheeled vans which replaced the wooden carts middle of the last century, or cars are painted in the typical way.

The old Sicilian carts are exhibited in museums. Particularly extensive collections are in Terrasini in the Museo del Carretto Siciliano and Ethnographic Museum in Palermo in Giuseppe Siciliano Pitrè.

In Palermo and Taormina in late April, early May are organized festive parades with the Sicilian carts annually. Reproduced in miniature, they are sold as souvenirs.