Santo Stefano di Camastra, a commune located in Province of Messina in the Italian region of Sicily has a population of 5,600.

This picturesque settlement is located on the southern coast of Sicily at the Tyrrhenian Sea.

According to oral sources, the ancestors of current residents of Santo Stefano di Camastra were initially residing in Romei (hence the name of Nomei, the ancient name of Santo Stefano’s residents), a place bordering on Mistretta.

The residents, running away from the earthquake of 7. century A.D., in the Byzantine period, first sought shelter around the Santa Maria del Vocante Monastery, however later, for better protection against Arab invasions, focused around another Benedictine Monastery located on the summit of the mountain dedicated to Saint Stephen.

Later, after reaching the sea and establishing contact with the Arabs, the residents of Santo Stefano, having the deposits of high quality clay, started to explore the arcane of “quartarara” (manufacture of brick).

The earthquake of 1682 forced relocation of the village and its rebuilding to the south, in the area of the fee of Giuseppe Lanza Barresi, the Duke of Camastra.

It was then, when “stazzunara” (craftsmen processing the brick), working at manufacture of roofing tiles and so-called “catusa” (rainwater discharge pipes), necessary for reconstruction of the village, used ubiquitous clay, which later played an important role for economic future of the place.

During the 18th century maritime trade flourished; then the residents of Santo Stefano became interested in maiolica tiles.

Apart from that industrial transformation of ceramic craftsmanship made Santo Stefano di Camastra an important centre, not only on regional level, but also on national and international arena.

Apart from artistic ceramic work, residents live by fishing and agriculture.

The patrons of Santo Stefano di Camastra are: saint Nicholas, holiday celebrated on December 6 and the Heavenly Mother of Sorrow, whose feast is celebrated annually on the third Sunday of September.

Other places worth visiting include: Cefalu, located only 30km from Santo Stefano towards Palermo, Capo d’Orlando, a perfect spot for the young, with many night clubs and discos.

One can also take a trip to the Aeolian Islands and other famous cities of Sicily, such as Agrigento, Catania or Palermo.

Santo Stefano di Camastra lies about 120 kilometers from the Palermo airport and 170 kilometers for the Fontana Rossa di Cantania airport, both of which can be reached by motorway.