The Baroque period saw a unique urban and architectural phenomenon in Europe, with the reconstruction of 8 towns in south-eastern Sicily following the 1693 earthquake.
This building effort, which mobilized numerous resources, was architecturally a great success, with a style designated as “late Baroque”.
The towns concerned were all or partially inscribed as UNESCO World Heritage under the name “Baroque towns of the Val di Noto“. They are: Catania, Modica, Noto, Palazzolo Acreide, Ragusa, Scicli, Caltagirone and Militello in Val di Catania.
Long known for its pottery production, Caltagirone turned to artistic ceramics and terracotta sculpture. Its other activities are mainly related to agriculture, with vineyards, olive trees or peach trees. Introduction to Caltagirone A medium-sized town with about 37,500 inhabitants, in its charming medieval old centre you can see beautiful Baroque façades. But the town is […]
The second most populous city in Sicily after Palermo, Catania has faced terrible earthquakes and volcanic eruptions over the centuries, undergoing numerous urban transformations and seeing several cultures pass through its lands. Located between Etna and the Ionian Sea, the volcano still influences its urban planning, where black lava stone is often found in the […]
Set in the hills between the plain of Catania and the north of the Hyblaean Mountains, the beautiful town of Militello is one of the eight municipalities inscribed by Unesco among the late Baroque towns of the Val di Noto. Historical overview The name of Militello comes from “Militum Tellus” (land of soldiers in Latin), […]
