Introduction to Val di Noto

Fantasies of light and colour

Introduction to the route

The proposed educational route retraces the main events of the history of the Val di Noto.
Through the suggested itineraries it intends to lead younger children along their discovery of the eight towns: Catania, Militello in Val di Catania, Caltagirone, Ragusa, Modica, Scicli, Palazzolo Acreide and Noto.
This is a unique chance and opportunity to examine a territory rich in history.
Following the tragic earthquake of 1693, the towns of the Val di Noto were rebuilt with such homogeneity and richness from an artistic and architectural point of view that they were included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
The post-earthquake reconstruction is examined through many aspects that revolve around the brightness of paint colours, effects and plays on light and shadow that make the heritage a particularly fascinating and completely unusual sight. As well as featuring prominently in the lively character of the communities that inhabit these places, colour accompanies our gaze in a conscious interpretation of architectural shapes and unique landscapes, becoming an inspiration for artisanal production, too.
The children, then, can expect to experience many, powerful emotions.

An eagle-shaped city

One city, three sites

A Nobel Prize in Modica

A new site for a new city

Some masterpieces

A new site for a new church

A symbol for the town

Searching for colour

From International Gothic to present day

Church of San Giuliano (St. Julian) on Via dei Crociferi: reconstruction

Freedom of worship and the role of the Catholic Church in the diffusion of Baroque

The city of museums

A triumph of colour

A design by Vincenzo Sinatra

From St. Thomas to St. Joseph

One city, two sites

Baroque and the loss of equilibrium in the 16th century

The senses tell the story of the Badia di Sant’Agata

A half-Baroque church

Feast days

Modica, a city with ancient origins

The role of the religious orders in rebuilding the Val di Noto

The wall comes to life

The two churches

A new entrance for Santa Chiara (St. Claire)

Many owners, one palace

The Burgos crucifix

A museum to save a tradition

Feasting in Palazzolo

Prominent façade

The senses tell the story of the Church of Santa Chiara

The interior and its masterpieces

The Feast of San Giacomo (St. James)

A square as the heart of the city

Corbels: a celebration of the Nicolaci family

The cathedral of Sant’Agata: a lengthy reconstruction

Connections with other UNESCO sites

The senses tell the story of the Church of Santa Chiara

A majestic and luminous church

A prominent church

The senses tell the story of the Church of San Benedetto

A city in colour

The senses tell the story of the church of San Giuseppe

Two illustrious patron saints

A miniature city

The Supernatural dimension of the chapel of the Santissimo Sacramento

The kitchen, a treasure chest of colours

The theatre of taste

The church of Carmine

The Baroque town by the sea

The chocolate of Modica

The Maiolica of the staircase

The colours of the cathedral

A feast only for Scicli

The façade used as a puppet theatre

San Nicolò l’Arena: an unfinished church

Wonderful quick decorations

A hall for the feasts

The character of Badia Sant’Agata

The senses tell the story of the church of San Giovanni Battista

Places of knowledge: the Benedictines’ library

A new palace for the La Rocca lords

St. Agatha and the giant candelabras

The Benedictine Monastery, one of the largest in Europe

The senses tell about Palazzo La Rocca

The internal colours

Norman apses

The senses tell about Palazzo Nicolaci

A talking palace

The senses tell the story of the Church of San Giovanni Evangelista

The Staircase of Angels

The Infiorata, a feast of colours and flowers

Militello, the story of an enlightened fiefdom

Discovering the mother church

Garden of Novices and the restorations by Giancarlo De Carlo

The senses tell the Cathedral of Sant’Agata

A small room with a golden entrance

Limestone, the colour of harmony

The senses tell the story of the church of Santa Maria del Carmelo

From the contrast of the exterior to the internal jubilation of colours

The disastrous earthquake

Palazzo Nicolaci di Villadorata, who is the architect?

A colourful floor

Between white and black

The senses tell about Palazzo Napolino Tommasi Rosso

The Barresi-Branciforte lords

Some prestigious works

The senses tell the Benedictine Monastery and San NicoIò l’Arena

The senses tell the story of the staircase of Santa Maria del Monte

The senses tell the Mother Church of San Nicolò and of the Santissimo Salvatore

The senses tell the story of the Church of San Giuliano ai Crociferi

Fontana della Ninfa Zizza, public water in the town

The senses tell the story of the Church of the Annunciation

A long reconstruction

San Benedetto: a treasure reopened to the public

New roads for Catania

St. Sebastian, so much work!

The senses tell the story of the Church of San Sebastiano

Rosario Gagliardi, the maestro of the Val di Noto