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.

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

The senses tell the story of the Church of Santa Chiara

A half-Baroque church

One city, three sites

Garden of Novices and the restorations by Giancarlo De Carlo

A miniature city

A feast only for Scicli

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

A new site for a new city

The kitchen, a treasure chest of colours

A hall for the feasts

The senses tell the Cathedral of Sant’Agata

The city of museums

St. Sebastian, so much work!

Discovering the mother church

Rosario Gagliardi, the maestro of the Val di Noto

The theatre of taste

A new entrance for Santa Chiara (St. Claire)

Some prestigious works

Many owners, one palace

Militello, the story of an enlightened fiefdom

The Supernatural dimension of the chapel of the Santissimo Sacramento

The Benedictine Monastery, one of the largest in Europe

A Nobel Prize in Modica

A long reconstruction

The character of Badia Sant’Agata

A symbol for the town

An eagle-shaped city

A new site for a new church

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

One city, two sites

A city in colour

A majestic and luminous church

A triumph of colour

New roads for Catania

San Nicolò l’Arena: an unfinished church

St. Agatha and the giant candelabras

Norman apses

Feasting in Palazzolo

Places of knowledge: the Benedictines’ library

The Burgos crucifix

The Barresi-Branciforte lords

The senses tell the story of the Church of San Sebastiano

The colours of the cathedral

The senses tell the story of the Church of the Annunciation

The internal colours

A talking palace

A design by Vincenzo Sinatra

Fontana della Ninfa Zizza, public water in the town

The senses tell about Palazzo Napolino Tommasi Rosso

A colourful floor

Prominent façade

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

The church of Carmine

The senses tell the story of the Church of Santa Chiara

Baroque and the loss of equilibrium in the 16th century

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

The façade used as a puppet theatre

The disastrous earthquake

From St. Thomas to St. Joseph

A prominent church

The Infiorata, a feast of colours and flowers

A small room with a golden entrance

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

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

The senses tell about Palazzo La Rocca

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

Some masterpieces

The Staircase of Angels

Feast days

Limestone, the colour of harmony

Palazzo Nicolaci di Villadorata, who is the architect?

Corbels: a celebration of the Nicolaci family

The senses tell the story of the church of San Giuseppe

Modica, a city with ancient origins

From International Gothic to present day

The two churches

A new palace for the La Rocca lords

Two illustrious patron saints

Between white and black

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

The chocolate of Modica

A museum to save a tradition

The senses tell the story of the Church of San Benedetto

The Baroque town by the sea

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

Wonderful quick decorations

The wall comes to life

Searching for colour

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

The interior and its masterpieces

The cathedral of Sant’Agata: a lengthy reconstruction

A square as the heart of the city

The Feast of San Giacomo (St. James)

San Benedetto: a treasure reopened to the public

The senses tell about Palazzo Nicolaci

Connections with other UNESCO sites

The Maiolica of the staircase

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