At the end of a large corridor in the north wing of the monastery we find the refectory, where the monks ate their daily meal, an oval room surmounted by a large vault painted by the Catanese painter Giuseppe Piparo and now the seat of the Aula Magna (great hall) of the University of Catania. The ro...

The worship of St. Paul in Palazzolo Acreide has ancient origins, perhaps prior to his election as patron saint of the town in 1688. He replaced the Virgin Hodegetria worshipped in the church of San Sebastiano. This spectacular religious feast lasts three days and involves the entire country. The ...

The Solomonic column is a column with a spiralling twisted shaft. The sinuous movement is attributable to natural elements such as branches or serpents. ...

He was born in Noto around 1707 and his second marriage was to the granddaughter of Rosario Gagliardi. As well as being related, he studied and worked alongside him on the reconstruction of numerous buildings and churches, especially in Noto. The church of San Paolo (St. Paul) in Palazzolo Acreide...

The pronaos is the space in front of the cella (shrine) in ancient temples delimited by columns. However, it can indicate any building with a similar shape in the front space....

Born in Canicattini Bagni on 11 September 1922, Antonino Uccello completed his master's studies in Noto and settled in Palazzolo Acreide in 1944. He emigrated to Lombardy where he taught in schools in Brianza. The exodus experienced by Sicily in those years, the loss of cultural heritage and his es...

Speaking about the carts of Palermo during his Grand Tour, French writer Guy de Maupassant said: "[...] The carts, small square boxes, perched high up on yellow wheels, are decorated with simple and curious paintings that represent historical facts, adventures of all kinds, meetings of sovereigns [....

The opera was divided into three acts and elaborate scenic effects were used to increase the spectacularity of the performances, such as fake blood spilling from wounded puppets in battle or the simulation of burning cities. The opera performance is defined by precise roles. The characters are voi...

Each of the segments into which the cavea (the terraces for the audience) is divided is called a voussoir. These segments take the form of trapezoidal wedges. Each segment, or voussoir, is usually divided by stairs....

The cavea is a semi-circular space with steps in ancient theatres and amphitheatres, reserved for spectators' seats. It is artificial if built or natural if it rests directly on a hillside....