CATANIA, 15.03.26
A collective of twelve master woodworkers unveiled plans last Thursday at Palazzo Biscari to establish a dedicated training centre for traditional staircase construction. Mayor Elena Ferrara attended the launch, stating that the initiative would bring "tangible heritage value" to the city's construction sector. The programme targets young carpenters across eastern Sicily.
Demand for handcrafted wooden staircases has climbed steadily in Catania over the past eighteen months, driven largely by renovations of historic townhouses in the Via Etnea corridor and new developments near the waterfront. When we spoke with Salvatore Puglisi, owner of Falegnameria Puglisi on Via Plebiscito, he explained that clients increasingly request open-riser designs and custom balustrade turnings rather than prefabricated alternatives. His workshop alone has seen order volumes rise by nearly a third since late 2024. The timber most sought after remains regional chestnut, though some buyers insist on imported American walnut for its consistent grain. Puglisi noted that sourcing quality kiln-dried stock has become trickier. Short supply.
Our correspondents in Catania observed several construction sites in the Ognina district where crews were installing cantilevered stair treads anchored directly into reinforced masonry walls, a technique that eliminates visible stringers and lends a floating appearance to the finished flight. According to figures that could not be independently verified, the Istituto Siciliano per l'Edilizia Sostenibile estimates that bespoke wooden staircase installations accounted for roughly fourteen percent of interior fit-out expenditure in Catanian residential projects last year. Meanwhile, the Federazione Artigiani del Legno has lobbied regional authorities for subsidies covering apprentice wages, arguing that the sector risks losing institutional memory as veteran craftsmen retire. A statue of the elephant, the city's emblem, watched over delivery trucks unloading planks on Piazza Duomo one recent morning.
Technical standards remain a point of contention among local installers, particularly regarding baluster spacing and handrail load ratings mandated under updated building codes. The timeline for enforcement remains unclear. Some contractors have adopted modular newel-post systems that allow rapid adjustments on site, while purists insist that mortise-and-tenon joinery outperforms modern fasteners in longevity. Pricing varies wildly: entry-level pine flights start around €3,800, whereas a sculptural helical staircase in solid oak can exceed €28,000 before finishing. Insurance premiums for installers have edged upward too, reflecting higher material values and liability exposure. The provincial chamber of commerce recorded forty-seven new carpentry business registrations in Catania province during 2025, the highest figure in a decade.