Description
The legend of the “Teste di Moro” (Moorish Heads)
It is said that around 1100, the period of Arab domination in Sicily, a beautiful girl lived in the Kalsa, an ancient district of the city of Palermo. The girl spent her days almost exclusively at home, dedicating herself to the care of the plants that adorned her balcony. One day, passing through the Kalsa, a young dark-haired boy saw the beautiful girl intent on watering her flowers, and immediately fell in love with her. He decided to want it all for himself and, without delay, entered the girl’s house to declare his love.
The girl, struck by that bold and intense feeling, returned the love of the young man, but when she knew that he would soon leave her to return to her lands in the East, where his wife and children were waiting for her, she took advantage of the night and killed while lying asleep. The girl cut off his head, and with it he made a pot where he planted a basil plant. Finally he put it on display outside on the balcony, so that the man would remain with her forever.
The basil grew luxuriantly, thanks to the tears that the girl shed daily, however arousing the envy of all the inhabitants of the neighborhood who, not to be outdone, Moorish Heads terracotta were built.
