Catania

The kitchen, a treasure chest of colours

One of the most evocative rooms of the monastery is the kitchen.
foto cucina della portaLike the refectory, antirefectory, library and museum, the space dedicated to preparing food was designed by Giovan Battista Vaccarini and its construction began in 1739.
foto cucina dei benedettiniThe architect had to take into account the rules of monastic architecture, which meant separating the kitchen from the other rooms. This way, if there was a fire, it would not spread to the other rooms.
Similarly, the passageways leading to the refectory as well as being narrow were equipped with multiple barriers.
The kitchen underwent various changes over the years, but the structure has remained the same with the hearths in the centre, a huge brazier placed in an octagonal “chamber”.
The maiolica decorations that enrich the structure create splendid orange and blue squares with a white background of abstract motifs. The floor is just as surprising. Also made with colourful maiolica tiles, it extends across the whole room. However, the floor is not simple or uniform; it is divided into eight parts with two different alternating decorations.
The first is a white floor with fine blue, black and yellow geometric decorations that cover the smaller portions; the other is larger and more colourful, where yellow and green dominate the blue, orange and white decoration. foto Dettaglio maioliche

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A museum to save a tradition

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A new entrance for Santa Chiara (St. Claire)

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A design by Vincenzo Sinatra

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

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The internal colours

The Maiolica of the staircase

Wonderful quick decorations

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A triumph of colour

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The Barresi-Branciforte lords

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A square as the heart of the city

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

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A colourful floor

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Some prestigious works

Corbels: a celebration of the Nicolaci family

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

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The two churches

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The chocolate of Modica

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Rosario Gagliardi, the maestro of the Val di Noto

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The senses tell about Palazzo Napolino Tommasi Rosso

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

Baroque and the loss of equilibrium in the 16th century

Feasting in Palazzolo

Fontana della Ninfa Zizza, public water in the town

Connections with other UNESCO sites

The senses tell the story of the Church of Santa Chiara

Searching for colour

The senses tell about Palazzo La Rocca

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A long reconstruction

Many owners, one palace

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The senses tell the story of the Church of Santa Chiara

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Prominent façade

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Some masterpieces

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Norman apses

The colours of the cathedral

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A Nobel Prize in Modica

A city in colour

The kitchen, a treasure chest of colours

Two illustrious patron saints