A portico is an architectural element that acts as a filter between the interior space of the building and the exterior, usually defined by arcades. The element is rarely used in Sicilian Baroque architecture....

Ducezio was a charismatic condottiero (captain) who was probably born in Noto. His first undertaking as an autonomous general was the conquest of the current town of Paternò, then under the influence of Syracuse. He wanted to give back to the Sicilians the lands where the Greek mercenaries had ...

Costantino Carasi, who has been much studied and appreciated in recent years, could be considered one of the most active painters who worked in the late 18th century, often in the shadow of more famous names. He was born in Noto in 1717 and after noting the sense of renewal of Italian and early-18...

Mixtilinear is the style of a line that may at times be broken (i.e. form angles of various sizes) and at other times be curved. Mixtilinear elements allow sudden changes of direction in the design of façades and architectural elements, which is why they are characteristic of the dynamism of Baro...

The term "coupled" means two equal twin elements. Coupled pilasters are two pilasters that are close together....

The Society of Jesus was founded by Ignatius of Loyola, of noble Basque origin. In 1534, together with some of his companions, he made a vow to preach from Paris to the Holy Land. The Societas iesu or Society of Jesus is a male religious institution that observes the vow of total obedience to the...

Numerous stuccoes decorate the five domes, while the altars of the naves are in polychrome marble. In the left nave there is an altar with a Crucifix and various marble panels with scenes from the Passion. The altars are interspersed with valuable paintings including that of San Domenico che ric...

The left nave of the church of the Madonna della Stella houses the tomb of one of Militello's lords: Blasco II Barresi, who died in around 1477. The tomb is in fully worked stone inlaid with the statue of the deceased Baron lying down. It was originally placed in the church of Santa Maria la Veter...

The precious glazed terracotta Nativity, from the church of Santa Maria della Stella la Vetere (St. Mary of the Star) located on the outskirts of the town of Militello, remained intact after the great earthquake. Commissioned in 1487 by the Lord of Militello Antonio Pietro Barresi, created by the F...

The Doric order is the oldest architectural order. It was developed in the Peloponnese in the 7th century BC then spread throughout Magna Graecia. This order is characterised by slim shapes and essential details, for example its capital is square in shape and its column has no base, but rests dire...