The Val di Noto

The Val di Noto is not a valley but one of the three feudal divisions of Sicily, and covers the whole of the south east of the island.  The baroque cities of the Val di Noto do not include Siracusa, which has always set itself apart, though in recent times it is now a member of the Distretto Sud Est.  It is unfortunate for the visitor that more often than not, cities are in competition with each other, instead of working together for the common good.

‘The eight cities of South East Sicily: Caltagirone, Militello in Val di Catania, Catania, Modica, Noto, Palazzolo, Ragusa and Scicli were rebuilt after the earthquake of 1693, in the same place or near the original city at the time of the earthquake in that year.  These cities represent an impressive and unique project, with a high level of architecturaland artistic importance.  Dated to the late Baroque they show particular innovations in the urban development and city construction.

Equally important are thecriteria aopted by UNESCO for the listing of the Val di Noto in the ‘Patrimonio dell’Umanità’.

‘This group of cities in south east Sicily, provide testimony to the exuberant genius of the art and architcture of the late Baroque.  The cities of the Val di noto represent the peak and the final flowering of the Baroque in Europe.  The exceptional quality of art and architecture of the late Baroque in the Val diNoto place it in a homogenous period and place, its richness resulting from the earthquake of 1693.  The eight cities of the south east of Sicil that have this legacy are examples of urban projects in a zone at permanent risk from earthquakes and volcanic activity from Etna.