Wooden decoration from a traditional Sicilian cart

The Sicilian Cart, Carrettu Sicilianu, is a colorful and decorated cart typically donkey or horse drawn (depending on the type of terrain). The carretto originates from Sicily, the island at the southernmost part of Italy. While the carts were originally introduced by the Greeks, they peaked in popularity in the 1920's when thousands of them could be seen around the island. They are usually made out of wood with carvings decorating them all over, just like this one. The nicest and most decorated ones, were used for competitions and parades to showcase beautifully handcrafted pieces and challenging other artisans. Another kind of Carretto, was the one used to transport materials or other work-related activities. Today, a little number of ancient Carts are still on the island and are used as example of a Sicilian tradition which now is no longer alive. In very little circumstances, a few carts are still remotely used for working purposes in the innermost parts of the island. Today, Sicilian carts are still made by artisans that had this art of crafting passed down from generation to generation. The colourful and intricate designs, often tell stories from the Sicilian history or legends. All the colours remind of the Sicilian flag, the trinacria, appearing on a yellow and red background.