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.

The church of Carmine

Feasting in Palazzolo

The Benedictine Monastery, one of the largest in Europe

Garden of Novices and the restorations by Giancarlo De Carlo

The senses tell about Palazzo Napolino Tommasi Rosso

The cathedral of Sant’Agata: a lengthy reconstruction

A museum to save a tradition

A hall for the feasts

A feast only for Scicli

A miniature city

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

Two illustrious patron saints

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

A Nobel Prize in Modica

Militello, the story of an enlightened fiefdom

Baroque and the loss of equilibrium in the 16th century

A symbol for the town

The wall comes to life

Limestone, the colour of harmony

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

The Infiorata, a feast of colours and flowers

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

The Supernatural dimension of the chapel of the Santissimo Sacramento

Some prestigious works

A new site for a new church

Wonderful quick decorations

New roads for Catania

A square as the heart of the city

San Benedetto: a treasure reopened to the public

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

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

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

Modica, a city with ancient origins

The senses tell about Palazzo La Rocca

Places of knowledge: the Benedictines’ library

A majestic and luminous church

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

The senses tell the story of the Church of the Annunciation

The Staircase of Angels

A prominent church

One city, three sites

The façade used as a puppet theatre

Many owners, one palace

The senses tell the story of the Church of Santa Chiara

A new palace for the La Rocca lords

Palazzo Nicolaci di Villadorata, who is the architect?

Discovering the mother church

Norman apses

An eagle-shaped city

St. Agatha and the giant candelabras

The disastrous earthquake

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

The Burgos crucifix

From St. Thomas to St. Joseph

The senses tell the story of the Church of San Sebastiano

The theatre of taste

Searching for colour

Feast days

A new entrance for Santa Chiara (St. Claire)

The city of museums

The kitchen, a treasure chest of colours

St. Sebastian, so much work!

The senses tell about Palazzo Nicolaci

A talking palace

The senses tell the Cathedral of Sant’Agata

Connections with other UNESCO sites

Some masterpieces

The Maiolica of the staircase

San Nicolò l’Arena: an unfinished church

The character of Badia Sant’Agata

The senses tell the story of the church of San Giuseppe

The chocolate of Modica

A triumph of colour

A city in colour

Rosario Gagliardi, the maestro of the Val di Noto

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

A new site for a new city

The senses tell the story of the Church of San Benedetto

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

The interior and its masterpieces

The two churches

The Baroque town by the sea

Prominent façade

One city, two sites

A small room with a golden entrance

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

From International Gothic to present day

A colourful floor

The Feast of San Giacomo (St. James)

The colours of the cathedral

The Barresi-Branciforte lords

The senses tell the story of the Church of Santa Chiara

Corbels: a celebration of the Nicolaci family

The internal colours

Between white and black

A half-Baroque church

A long reconstruction

A design by Vincenzo Sinatra

Fontana della Ninfa Zizza, public water in the town