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 the story of the Church of Santa Chiara

A museum to save a tradition

The senses tell the story of the Church of San Benedetto

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

A hall for the feasts

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

Some masterpieces

Fontana della Ninfa Zizza, public water in the town

Two illustrious patron saints

Feast days

Norman apses

Garden of Novices and the restorations by Giancarlo De Carlo

A Nobel Prize in Modica

A feast only for Scicli

The senses tell about Palazzo Napolino Tommasi Rosso

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

A square as the heart of the city

A new palace for the La Rocca lords

A colourful floor

The senses tell the story of the church of San Giuseppe

The two churches

A design by Vincenzo Sinatra

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

The Supernatural dimension of the chapel of the Santissimo Sacramento

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

One city, two sites

Modica, a city with ancient origins

The church of Carmine

The senses tell about Palazzo Nicolaci

From International Gothic to present day

A majestic and luminous church

San Nicolò l’Arena: an unfinished church

The senses tell about Palazzo La Rocca

Feasting in Palazzolo

A symbol for the town

Rosario Gagliardi, the maestro of the Val di Noto

The senses tell the Cathedral of Sant’Agata

Connections with other UNESCO sites

Prominent façade

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

St. Agatha and the giant candelabras

From St. Thomas to St. Joseph

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

St. Sebastian, so much work!

One city, three sites

Places of knowledge: the Benedictines’ library

A prominent church

The Staircase of Angels

The senses tell the story of the Church of the Annunciation

The character of Badia Sant’Agata

The Baroque town by the sea

A triumph of colour

A miniature city

The senses tell the story of the Church of Santa Chiara

Discovering the mother church

The theatre of taste

A small room with a golden entrance

San Benedetto: a treasure reopened to the public

A new site for a new church

The façade used as a puppet theatre

The wall comes to life

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

The city of museums

A new entrance for Santa Chiara (St. Claire)

Some prestigious works

Wonderful quick decorations

A long reconstruction

The Barresi-Branciforte lords

The disastrous earthquake

Searching for colour

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

The kitchen, a treasure chest of colours

Militello, the story of an enlightened fiefdom

The Benedictine Monastery, one of the largest in Europe

The Feast of San Giacomo (St. James)

New roads for Catania

The senses tell the story of the Church of San Sebastiano

The Maiolica of the staircase

Baroque and the loss of equilibrium in the 16th century

The internal colours

Limestone, the colour of harmony

The Infiorata, a feast of colours and flowers

A talking palace

The cathedral of Sant’Agata: a lengthy reconstruction

A half-Baroque church

An eagle-shaped city

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

A city in colour

Between white and black

A new site for a new city

Many owners, one palace

The chocolate of Modica

Corbels: a celebration of the Nicolaci family

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

Palazzo Nicolaci di Villadorata, who is the architect?

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

The Burgos crucifix

The interior and its masterpieces

The colours of the cathedral