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 wall comes to life

The interior and its masterpieces

Places of knowledge: the Benedictines’ library

A new site for a new city

Between white and black

Feast days

The Burgos crucifix

Norman apses

Baroque and the loss of equilibrium in the 16th century

St. Agatha and the giant candelabras

The senses tell the story of the church of San Giuseppe

One city, two sites

The senses tell the story of the Church of Santa Chiara

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

The Maiolica of the staircase

A triumph of colour

The senses tell about Palazzo La Rocca

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

A symbol for the town

The disastrous earthquake

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

The Infiorata, a feast of colours and flowers

A half-Baroque church

The Feast of San Giacomo (St. James)

The Supernatural dimension of the chapel of the Santissimo Sacramento

Palazzo Nicolaci di Villadorata, who is the architect?

The character of Badia Sant’Agata

A prominent church

The city of museums

The façade used as a puppet theatre

The theatre of taste

From St. Thomas to St. Joseph

The Barresi-Branciforte lords

St. Sebastian, so much work!

Militello, the story of an enlightened fiefdom

The senses tell the Cathedral of Sant’Agata

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

The senses tell the story of the Church of Santa Chiara

The church of Carmine

Some masterpieces

San Benedetto: a treasure reopened to the public

The two churches

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

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

The cathedral of Sant’Agata: a lengthy reconstruction

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

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

A miniature city

Discovering the mother church

From International Gothic to present day

A city in colour

A new palace for the La Rocca lords

A museum to save a tradition

Fontana della Ninfa Zizza, public water in the town

New roads for Catania

The kitchen, a treasure chest of colours

San Nicolò l’Arena: an unfinished church

The Staircase of Angels

Connections with other UNESCO sites

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

Rosario Gagliardi, the maestro of the Val di Noto

A Nobel Prize in Modica

The chocolate of Modica

The Baroque town by the sea

The senses tell about Palazzo Nicolaci

A new entrance for Santa Chiara (St. Claire)

An eagle-shaped city

Corbels: a celebration of the Nicolaci family

A hall for the feasts

Limestone, the colour of harmony

A feast only for Scicli

A majestic and luminous church

Prominent façade

The internal colours

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

Garden of Novices and the restorations by Giancarlo De Carlo

The colours of the cathedral

A new site for a new church

Wonderful quick decorations

Two illustrious patron saints

The Benedictine Monastery, one of the largest in Europe

The senses tell about Palazzo Napolino Tommasi Rosso

A talking palace

A square as the heart of the city

The senses tell the story of the Church of the Annunciation

Modica, a city with ancient origins

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

A design by Vincenzo Sinatra

A small room with a golden entrance

The senses tell the story of the Church of San Sebastiano

Some prestigious works

Feasting in Palazzolo

One city, three sites

A long reconstruction

A colourful floor

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

The senses tell the story of the Church of San Benedetto

Searching for colour

Many owners, one palace