Sicilian cart

The Sicilian cart (or carretto siciliano in Italian and carrettu sicilianu in Sicilian or carretti (plural)) is an ornate, colorful style of horse or donkey-drawn cart native to the island of Sicily, in Italy.

Miniature carts, or Carrettini Siciliani, are often sold in Sicily (or in Italian shops and restaurants in other countries) as souvenirs.

Sicilian wood carver George Petralia states that horses were mostly used in the city and flat plains, while donkeys or mules were more often used in rough terrain for hauling heavy loads.

Carts are known for being covered in carvings and brightly painted scenes from Sicilian history and folklore as well as intricate geometrical designs.

The colors of Sicily's flag, yellow and red, feature prominently on the carts, along with details in bright blues and greens.

A Sicilian working cart in a picture from 1890
A Traditional Sicilian Cart from Agrigento , Sicily, 2003. Note that the cart appears slightly raised where it is attached to the horse. This is because the cart was traditionally drawn by donkeys, which are of a slightly lower stature to that of a horse (compare with the top photo from 1890 which features a donkey)
Detailed view
Battle taking place during the Emirate of Sicily
A Fiat 500 from Trapani, painted in the traditional style
Mauro Giuffrida, with his prize winning Sicilian "Garro" Carretto from Catania, Sicily