全球最美阶梯

Located in the Sicilian town of Caltagirone， La Scala di Santa Maria del Monte is a 142-step staircase dating back to 1608， each step of which is decorated with a different ceramic1） pattern. It's a wonder to behold， but during the spring and summer seasons it becomes even more breathtaking as locals adorn it with potted flowers and lanterns， creating intricate designs.

Situated 68 kilometers from Catania， the town of Caltagirone has long been famous for its production of pottery2）. The name of this charming settlement derives from the Arabic "qal'at-al-jarar" （"Castle of [pottery] jars"） and perfectly befits3） its longstanding pottery-making tradition. But it's the splendid La Scala di Santa Maria del Monte that really stands as a testament4） to the town's millennial5） tradition of pottery making. This breathtaking work of art， connecting the high part of Caltagirone to the low part， is completely covered in ceramic tiles6）， with each of its steps featuring a different design inspired by the local culture. The Staircase is the main attraction of the Sicilian town， and it's here that locals celebrate their most important festivals， La Scala Infiorata and La Luminaria， during which they use the Staircase as a canvas7） for floral8） and light masterpieces.

Every year， during La Scala Infiorata， the Flower Festival of Caltagirone， the Staircase is decorated with thousands of potted plants masterfully arranged to create a monumental design. From May 8 to June 2， tourists are invited to Caltagirone to admire the floral designs that stretch from the bottom of the stairs all the way to the top. They can even walk through the maze9） of potted flowers and see every detail up-close10）. The unique event is a tribute to Our Lady of Conadomini， the protector of Caltagirone， and every year it draws tourists from all around the world.

Less than two months after La Scala Infiorata， the Staircase hosts yet another breathtaking spectacle. On the nights of July 24 and 25， the La Luminaria is held in honor of San Giacomo， and the steps of the Staircase are decorated with up to 4000 handmade lanterns arranged in intricate patterns by local artists. Preparations for La Luminaria begin about a month before the days dedicated to San Giacomo， with artists making simple cylinders11） of special transparent paper， called "briglia"， in which they place ceramic lamps fitted with a cotton wick12）. Hours before the light show， the lamps are filled with olive oil， which produces a pleasant perfume when the traditional lanterns are lit. Each year， the design of the light mosaic13） is kept secret until the day of completion to surprise the audience.

迪圣玛利亚·德尔蒙特阶梯位于西西里岛的卡尔塔吉罗内小镇，是一座有142级台阶的阶梯，其历史可以追溯到1608年。这座阶梯的每一级台阶都装饰有不同的陶瓷图案，令人叹为观止。但在春夏之时，随着当地居民用盆栽鲜花和灯笼来装饰台阶，摆出各种复杂精美的图案，这座阶梯会变得更加令人惊叹。

卡尔塔吉罗内小镇距离卡塔尼亚68公里，长期以来一直以生产陶器而闻名。这个迷人小镇的名字来源于阿拉伯语“qal'at-al-jarar”（“[陶瓷]罐子的城堡”），相当契合当地历史悠久的陶器制造传统。然而，宏伟的迪圣玛利亚·德尔蒙特阶梯才真正是这个小镇千年陶器制造传统的见证。这一令人叹为观止的艺术作品将卡尔塔吉罗内镇地势高的地方和地势低的地方连接了起来，阶梯上面全都铺满了瓷砖，每级台阶上的图案各不相同，独具特色——那些图案的设计灵感都源自当地的文化。这座阶梯是西西里岛上这个小镇的主要景点，同时这里也是当地人庆祝他们最重要的节日斯卡拉花卉节和彩灯节的地方。在节日期间，他们会把阶梯当成画布，用鲜花和灯笼来绘制杰作。

在每年的斯卡拉花卉节，也就是卡尔塔吉罗内的鲜花节期间，阶梯上都会用上千盆的植物装饰，它们被巧妙地摆放成一幅巨大的图案。从5月8日到6月2日，游客们被吸引到卡尔塔吉罗内，观赏从阶梯底端一直延伸至顶端的花卉图案。游客们甚至可以徜徉在盆栽花卉的迷宫之中，近距离观赏每一处细节。这一独特的活动是为了向卡尔塔吉罗内的保护神圣母科纳多米尼致敬，每年都会引来来自世界各地的众多游客。

斯卡拉花卉节过后不到两个月，这座阶梯又会迎来另一令人惊叹的壮观景象。人们在7月24日和25日的晚上庆祝彩灯节，纪念圣贾科莫。届时，这座阶梯的台阶上会装饰多达4000盏手工制作的灯笼，由当地的艺术家们摆放成各种复杂的图案。彩灯节的准备工作要在供奉圣贾科莫之前一个月就开始，艺术家们会用特殊的透明纸制作出一种叫做briglia的简单圆筒状物，然后在里面放上装有棉质灯芯的陶瓷灯。灯展前的几个小时，灯里会装满橄榄油，它会在这些传统灯笼被点亮之时散发出怡人的芳香。每年，灯笼的设计图案在全部弄好之前会一直保密，以带给观众惊喜。

1. ceramic [s??r?m?k] adj. 陶瓷的；制陶艺术的

2. pottery [?p?t?ri] n. [总称]陶器，陶瓷器皿

3. befit [b??f?t] vt. 适合于

4. testament [?test?m?nt] n. 证明，证据

5. millennial [m??leni?l] adj. 一千年的

6. tile [ta?l] n. 瓦片；瓷砖

7. canvas [?k?nv?s] n. （一块）帆布画布

8. floral [?fl??r?l] adj. 花的

9. maze [me?z] n. 迷宫；错综复杂的事物

10. up-close： 近距离地

11. cylinder [?s?l?nd?（r）] n. 圆柱状物，圆筒

12. wick [w?k] n. 灯芯；烛芯

13. mosaic [m???ze??k] n. 镶嵌图案