taste

A dessert for a saint

During the feast dedicated to St. Agatha, the "Minne di Sant'Agata", a dessert made in her honour, are another must. The shape is unambiguously reminiscent of a woman's breast, in memory of the terrible martyrdom suffered by the saint. The dessert consists of a shortcrust pastry shell covered with...
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hearing

Music in the Cathedral

The church has an unbreakable bond with music. The cathedral of St. Agatha is not only home to a magnificent organ, now located above the entrance, but the tomb of the musician Vincenzo Bellini (1801-1835). Though he died very young, he was recognised as one of the greatest composers of his time. ...
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touch

Coarse to smooth, hot to cold

Look but don't touch! How many times have you heard this said in museums or churches? But if you could touch each material that made up the church you would notice how different they are; starting with the pillars that separate the central nave from the lateral naves, the former in lava stone and ...
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sight

The façade with a play on colour

Of all the wonders of Piazza Duomo, the cathedral certainly does not go unnoticed. Thanks to a play on colour between the white limestone and grey lava stone, the façade figures prominently in the square. The two colours alternate with one another to create a perfect harmony that adds liveliness ...
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hearing

A gentle song

The nuns'singing was remarkable. During religious services the church was filled with sweet voices and gentle songs alternating with delicate prayers. If you return to the 18th century in your mind you can still hear the engrossed nuns singing Gloria del Signore (Glory of the Lord)....
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touch

The warm stucco

The gilded stuccoes on the ceiling of Santa Chiara (St. Claire) shine in the sunlight. To the touch they will always be warmer than any other cold marble statue or sculpture, which are unable to retain heat. Like stucco, wood will also always be warmer than this precious and ice-cold stone....
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sight

A panorama over Noto

The terrace of Santa Chiara will take your breath away! Partly because of all the stairs you have to climb, but more so for the spectacular view. The whole city of Noto is below you, where infinite shades of colours embellish the landscape. The green of the trees and surrounding hills; the blue of...
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