Introduction to Val di Noto

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

After the tragic earthquake, the Val di Noto rose from its ashes like a phoenix to be reborn stronger and more beautiful than before.
The commitment of the religious orders to educate a modern generation of artists in the cultural and artistic knowledge of Baroque Rome was crucial in overcoming ancient conceptions and initiating a momentous transformation.
Studies undertaken by young clerics in the rich Roman libraries, the interest in Rome, and observation of the typical architecture of the Counter-Reformation gave rise to a synthesis of figurative elements which set Sicilian Baroque in motion.
In Sicily, Roman artistic influences replaced Spanish cultural dependence. By the hand of specialised workers, the new spirit of the era was inaugurated, not only in religious architecture but also in civic buildings, too. Sicilian Baroque combined the technical knowledge of local culture with the great dynamics of Roman Baroque.

San Benedetto: a treasure reopened to the public

The senses tell about Palazzo La Rocca

A talking palace

A Nobel Prize in Modica

Militello, the story of an enlightened fiefdom

A triumph of colour

The cathedral of Sant’Agata: a lengthy reconstruction

The senses tell the story of the church of San Giuseppe

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

The colours of the cathedral

From International Gothic to present day

Between white and black

The Infiorata, a feast of colours and flowers

One city, three sites

An eagle-shaped city

The kitchen, a treasure chest of colours

Two illustrious patron saints

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

The two churches

Connections with other UNESCO sites

The theatre of taste

A long reconstruction

St. Agatha and the giant candelabras

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

A city in colour

The chocolate of Modica

A half-Baroque church

The Maiolica of the staircase

The senses tell the story of the Church of San Benedetto

The wall comes to life

San Nicolò l’Arena: an unfinished church

The Benedictine Monastery, one of the largest in Europe

The senses tell the story of the Church of San Sebastiano

The interior and its masterpieces

The senses tell the story of the Church of the Annunciation

The internal colours

Feasting in Palazzolo

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

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

A colourful floor

A symbol for the town

Rosario Gagliardi, the maestro of the Val di Noto

Places of knowledge: the Benedictines’ library

The Burgos crucifix

Discovering the mother church

Fontana della Ninfa Zizza, public water in the town

St. Sebastian, so much work!

A feast only for Scicli

Baroque and the loss of equilibrium in the 16th century

Feast days

Garden of Novices and the restorations by Giancarlo De Carlo

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

The Baroque town by the sea

A prominent church

The character of Badia Sant’Agata

A square as the heart of the city

The Staircase of Angels

A majestic and luminous church

A new site for a new church

The senses tell the Cathedral of Sant’Agata

A museum to save a tradition

The city of museums

The disastrous earthquake

A hall for the feasts

Prominent façade

A miniature city

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

New roads for Catania

Some prestigious works

The façade used as a puppet theatre

Wonderful quick decorations

Searching for colour

A small room with a golden entrance

Norman apses

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

The senses tell the story of the Church of Santa Chiara

The Supernatural dimension of the chapel of the Santissimo Sacramento

From St. Thomas to St. Joseph

The senses tell about Palazzo Nicolaci

Many owners, one palace

Limestone, the colour of harmony

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

A new palace for the La Rocca lords

The senses tell about Palazzo Napolino Tommasi Rosso

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

Palazzo Nicolaci di Villadorata, who is the architect?

A design by Vincenzo Sinatra

Some masterpieces

A new entrance for Santa Chiara (St. Claire)

A new site for a new city

The Barresi-Branciforte lords

The Feast of San Giacomo (St. James)

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

Corbels: a celebration of the Nicolaci family

The church of Carmine

Modica, a city with ancient origins

The senses tell the story of the Church of Santa Chiara

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

One city, two sites