Teste di Moro

As is the case in many ancient cultures, mythology runs deep in the veins of Sicily. One of the great legends of Sicilian culture is the myth of the "Moor's Head". It is a myth of passion, love and revenge (as all good legends are!).

Tradition will tell you that the myth starts around year 1000, during the era of the Moorish domination of Sicily. This story is set in Palermo, in the neighborhood of Kalsa (the Arab "district”) where a beautiful young woman once lived. One day, while she was out on her balcony tending to her plants, a Moorish man passed by and was captured by her beauty. He stopped and professed his love for her, showering her with compliments and sweet nothings. The beautiful girl returned this love and affection, and they were wed. Unfortunately, for her new beau, a sick twist of events transpired, and she discovered he had another wife and children, waiting for him back home.

Pride and heart wounded, the young Sicilian woman started to plot her devious revenge. One night, as he slept, she cut off his head so that he would have to stay with her forever. She used his head as a vase, where she planted basil and placed it on her balcony.

Fast forward to today, and these heads are made into ceramic vases which you can spot on many Sicilian balconies and beyond!

Le teste di Moro (Moor's heads) lining the staircase of Maria del Monte in Caltagirone, Sicily.