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Story of the Moor's Heads

According to the tradition of Sicilian Moor's Heads, it is told that in Palermo, in the beautiful Arab quarter 'Al Hâlisah (now the Kalsa), there lived a girl who loved to spend her days taking care of the flowers and plants on her balcony. One day, a young Moor passed under her balcony and, seeing the girl so beautiful and graceful, he immediately fell in love with her. He declared his love to her and the girl, impressed by his strength, audacity, and passion, reciprocated the feeling. However, the young Moor was married with offspring, and when the girl discovered the truth, she decided to take revenge. During the night, while the young man was sleeping, the girl decapitated him and placed his severed head on the balcony as a vase to adorn her plants. Thus were born the Sicilian Moor's Heads.

Another Story about the Moor's Heads

Another, more credible version of the Moor's Heads from Caltagirone involves a young woman of noble origins who had a clandestine love affair with a young Arab. This impossible love was soon discovered and punished with the decapitation of both young lovers. The heads of the two lovers, transformed into vases, were affixed to a balcony as a warning against improper passions. This story explains why the Moor's Heads are made in pairs, in memory and honor of the two slain lovers.