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.

Garden of Novices and the restorations by Giancarlo De Carlo

The senses tell the story of the Church of Santa Chiara

Rosario Gagliardi, the maestro of the Val di Noto

A new site for a new city

San Nicolò l’Arena: an unfinished church

The cathedral of Sant’Agata: a lengthy reconstruction

The Burgos crucifix

Norman apses

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

The character of Badia Sant’Agata

A Nobel Prize in Modica

San Benedetto: a treasure reopened to the public

The Maiolica of the staircase

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

Militello, the story of an enlightened fiefdom

A long reconstruction

The senses tell about Palazzo Nicolaci

The senses tell the story of the Church of Santa Chiara

The disastrous earthquake

A new palace for the La Rocca lords

The wall comes to life

The façade used as a puppet theatre

The senses tell the Cathedral of Sant’Agata

Feasting in Palazzolo

The senses tell the story of the Church of the Annunciation

The church of Carmine

Some masterpieces

St. Sebastian, so much work!

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

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

A miniature city

A colourful floor

The city of museums

Prominent façade

A square as the heart of the city

An eagle-shaped city

The senses tell the story of the Church of San Sebastiano

The senses tell the story of the church of San Giuseppe

From St. Thomas to St. Joseph

The internal colours

The Staircase of Angels

A majestic and luminous church

A hall for the feasts

The two churches

Searching for colour

A talking palace

Fontana della Ninfa Zizza, public water in the town

The Benedictine Monastery, one of the largest in Europe

The Supernatural dimension of the chapel of the Santissimo Sacramento

Many owners, one palace

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

Modica, a city with ancient origins

The Barresi-Branciforte lords

The Feast of San Giacomo (St. James)

The interior and its masterpieces

The senses tell about Palazzo La Rocca

A symbol for the town

A new site for a new church

Limestone, the colour of harmony

Wonderful quick decorations

A small room with a golden entrance

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

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

A feast only for Scicli

St. Agatha and the giant candelabras

The theatre of taste

The chocolate of Modica

One city, two sites

A prominent church

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

Connections with other UNESCO sites

Between white and black

New roads for Catania

Discovering the mother church

A half-Baroque church

Corbels: a celebration of the Nicolaci family

A city in colour

A triumph of colour

A new entrance for Santa Chiara (St. Claire)

The Baroque town by the sea

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

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

Baroque and the loss of equilibrium in the 16th century

From International Gothic to present day

The colours of the cathedral

One city, three sites

Feast days

The Infiorata, a feast of colours and flowers

The senses tell about Palazzo Napolino Tommasi Rosso

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

Two illustrious patron saints

A design by Vincenzo Sinatra

Places of knowledge: the Benedictines’ library

Some prestigious works

The kitchen, a treasure chest of colours

Palazzo Nicolaci di Villadorata, who is the architect?

A museum to save a tradition

The senses tell the story of the Church of San Benedetto

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