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 senses tell about Palazzo La Rocca

The Feast of San Giacomo (St. James)

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

The internal colours

One city, two sites

The wall comes to life

The senses tell about Palazzo Nicolaci

Many owners, one palace

The city of museums

Between white and black

The Staircase of Angels

A feast only for Scicli

A majestic and luminous church

The Benedictine Monastery, one of the largest in Europe

From St. Thomas to St. Joseph

A miniature city

A new site for a new city

The Infiorata, a feast of colours and flowers

New roads for Catania

Prominent façade

Fontana della Ninfa Zizza, public water in the town

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

The disastrous earthquake

A square as the heart of the city

A design by Vincenzo Sinatra

A new site for a new church

Norman apses

The senses tell the story of the church of San Giuseppe

Wonderful quick decorations

The senses tell the story of the Church of the Annunciation

A Nobel Prize in Modica

The chocolate of Modica

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

The senses tell the story of the Church of Santa Chiara

A museum to save a tradition

A hall for the feasts

Garden of Novices and the restorations by Giancarlo De Carlo

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

Places of knowledge: the Benedictines’ library

The cathedral of Sant’Agata: a lengthy reconstruction

Modica, a city with ancient origins

St. Agatha and the giant candelabras

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

A half-Baroque church

Limestone, the colour of harmony

The Burgos crucifix

A long reconstruction

A new palace for the La Rocca lords

Searching for colour

A city in colour

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

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

The church of Carmine

The Baroque town by the sea

Discovering the mother church

The Supernatural dimension of the chapel of the Santissimo Sacramento

Corbels: a celebration of the Nicolaci family

The senses tell about Palazzo Napolino Tommasi Rosso

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

Feasting in Palazzolo

An eagle-shaped city

The senses tell the story of the Church of San Benedetto

The two churches

A triumph of colour

From International Gothic to present day

Baroque and the loss of equilibrium in the 16th century

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

A prominent church

Connections with other UNESCO sites

St. Sebastian, so much work!

The senses tell the story of the Church of Santa Chiara

The colours of the cathedral

The senses tell the Cathedral of Sant’Agata

A new entrance for Santa Chiara (St. Claire)

Militello, the story of an enlightened fiefdom

Palazzo Nicolaci di Villadorata, who is the architect?

A talking palace

Two illustrious patron saints

The façade used as a puppet theatre

San Benedetto: a treasure reopened to the public

A colourful floor

The kitchen, a treasure chest of colours

Feast days

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

San Nicolò l’Arena: an unfinished church

The Barresi-Branciforte lords

The theatre of taste

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

A small room with a golden entrance

One city, three sites

Some prestigious works

A symbol for the town

Some masterpieces

The character of Badia Sant’Agata

The Maiolica of the staircase

Rosario Gagliardi, the maestro of the Val di Noto

The senses tell the story of the Church of San Sebastiano

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

The interior and its masterpieces