Militello in Val di Catania

Fontana della Ninfa Zizza, public water in the town

Inside the courtyard of the Barresi-Branciforte castle is the Fontana della Ninfa Zizza (Fountain of the Nymph Zizza), dating back to 1607.foto fontana zizza frontale d’insieme The rich family, who was very attentive to its citizens, funded a series of public works. It was responsible for building the aqueduct that brought water from the source in the Zizza quarter to the castle, where the fountain provided water for the entire community. It was the town’s first source of public drinking water, an event of great importance at the time.
This work, attributed to Giandomenico Gagini , is located on a terraced wall and inserted in an aedicula with half columns framing the marble bas-relief of the girl Zizza, from whose breasts the water flows; to the right and left of the aedicula are two lion heads inserted in niches , while at the base there is an octagonal basin surmounted by satyr ‘s mask.


The original bas-relief has been kept in the former convent of San Domenico (St. Dominic) since the 1990s due to weather degradation and was restored in 2006. Legend has it that the young Zizza, a shepherdess in love with Lembasi, was betrothed in an unwanted marriage, so she transformed into a spring and her love turned into a stream.
The story was published in 1623 by Pietro Carrera, a historian and scholar who was part of the Branciforte court.

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A long reconstruction

A new palace for the La Rocca lords

The Maiolica of the staircase

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The senses tell the story of the Church of the Annunciation

Corbels: a celebration of the Nicolaci family

A half-Baroque church

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The wall comes to life

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Rosario Gagliardi, the maestro of the Val di Noto

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Two illustrious patron saints

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The church of Carmine

A square as the heart of the city

A Nobel Prize in Modica

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Limestone, the colour of harmony

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A hall for the feasts

A miniature city

The disastrous earthquake

A design by Vincenzo Sinatra

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From International Gothic to present day

A talking palace

Prominent façade

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The internal colours

The senses tell the Cathedral of Sant’Agata

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The Staircase of Angels

The senses tell the story of the Church of Santa Chiara

The façade used as a puppet theatre

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A small room with a golden entrance

The Benedictine Monastery, one of the largest in Europe

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The Burgos crucifix

Between white and black

Fontana della Ninfa Zizza, public water in the town

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Feast days

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The Feast of San Giacomo (St. James)

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