Unesco Sites
- Explore Unesco treasures
- Travel through history and culture
- Stroll through magnificent streets and churches
The Late Baroque Towns of the Val di Noto
The eight towns of southeastern Sicily-Caltagirone, Militello Val di Catania, Catania, Modica, Noto, Palazzolo, Ragusa and Scicli-were rebuilt after the devastating earthquake of 1693, in the same areas or next to previously existing ones. This collective effort resulted in outstanding architectural and artistic achievements, characterized by the late Baroque style and innovative urban planning solutions.
Justification for enrollment:
- Criterion (i): The cities of southeastern Sicily are an extraordinary testimony to the creative genius that animated late Baroque art.
- Criterion (ii): These cities represent the pinnacle and apex of Baroque art in Europe.
- Criterion (iv): The geographic and chronological homogeneity of late Baroque architecture in the Val di Noto, which arose from the reconstruction after the 1693 earthquake, is an outstanding example.
- Criterion (v): These cities, with their typical urban structure, are constantly exposed to seismic and volcanic hazards from Etna.
Description
The cities of southeastern Sicily represent the highest and most refined phase of Baroque art in Europe. The uniformity of style and the large number of late Baroque buildings are the result of reconstruction following the 1693 earthquake. Many of these towns already existed in medieval times, often developed around castles and monastic foundations. Although they had been modified in the 16th and 17th centuries, they were affected to varying degrees by the earthquake.
- Caltagirone is distinguished by its urban variety and the integration of pre- and post-1693 architecture. Among its main buildings are the churches of Santa Maria del Monte and San Giacomo Apostolo, as well as civic structures such as the Corte Capitanale and the Museo Civico.
- Militello Val di Catania is known for its rich architectural heritage and 17th-century city walls, which were replicated in Baroque reconstruction. The main buildings are the churches of San Nicolò and Santa Maria della Stella.
- Catania was rebuilt with a comprehensive urban design that gave it a geometric and unified appearance. Its landmarks are Piazza del Duomo and Via dei Crociferi, alongside monuments such as the Badia di Sant’Agata and Palazzo Biscari.
- Modica is spread over two centers, one ancient and one more modern, rebuilt after the earthquake. Monuments such as the Cathedral of St. George and the Church of St. Peter are symbols of the Baroque revival.
- Noto, built on two levels, is famous for its spectacular “Baroque setting,” with numerous religious complexes and noble palaces.
- Palazzolo Acreide has a medieval center rebuilt along a new axis, with churches such as San Sebastiano and San Paolo reflecting the revival of the 18th century.
- Ragusa, on three hills separated by a valley, developed into two cores: the ancient medieval layout and Upper Ragusa, built after the earthquake, with numerous Baroque buildings.
- Scicli boasts a Via Francesco Mormina Penna full of late Baroque buildings, churches such as San Giovanni Evangelista, and palaces such as the Beneventano.
Historical description
Some cities, such as Caltagirone and Militello, have pre-medieval origins, but all were already developed in medieval times. Organized around castles and monasteries, these cities were profoundly altered in the 16th and 17th centuries before being hit by the 1693 earthquake, which claimed some 93,000 lives. Catania and Noto were completely destroyed, while others such as Militello and Ragusa suffered less severe damage. Reconstruction followed different paths: Catania was rebuilt on the same site, Noto in a new location, and Ragusa partly on the old layout and partly in a new area.
During the 18th century, all these cities saw intense building activity, with the construction of churches, public buildings and palaces. The 1990 earthquake also caused damage, particularly in Ragusa. The UNESCO nomination is based primarily on 18th-century urban art and architecture, without specific references to urban economic dynamics or rural relations.
Syracuse and the rocky necropolis of Pantalica
Justification for enrollment
The UNESCO site of Syracuse and the Necropolis of Pantalica represents an extraordinary fusion of history and archaeology, encapsulating more than 3,000 years of Mediterranean civilization. The Necropolis of Pantalica, with its more than 5,000 rock-cut tombs dating from the 13th to 7th centuries B.C., offers a fascinating glimpse into Sicilian prehistory. Walking among these ancient tombs, you can also see traces of Byzantine settlements, such as the foundations of the Anaktoron, the legendary Prince’s Palace.
On the other hand, ancient Syracuse, particularly the island of Ortigia, will transport you to the heart of Greek civilization. Founded in the 8th century BC by the Greeks of Corinth, Syracuse was considered by Cicero to be “the greatest and most beautiful of all Greek cities.” Here, among picturesque streets and glimpses of the sea, one can admire the majestic Temple of Athena, now integrated into the splendid Syracuse Cathedral, the Greek Theater, the Roman Amphitheater, and fortifications such as the Maniace Castle.
Every corner of the city tells a story: from the Byzantines to the Bourbons, via the Arabs, the Normans, Frederick II and the Aragonese. Syracuse is a true journey through time, allowing you to discover the deep roots of Sicily, a land that has seen great civilizations flourish over the millennia.
Criteria: The sites and monuments that make up the sites of Syracuse and Pantalica constitute a unique accumulation, through the centuries and in the same space, of remarkable evidence about Mediterranean cultures. Criterion (iii): Syracuse and Pantalica offer, through their remarkable cultural diversity, exceptional evidence for the development of civilization over some three millennia. Criterion (iv): The group of monuments and archaeological sites located in Syracuse (between the nucleus of Ortigia and the vestiges throughout the urban area) are the finest example of an extraordinary architectural creation embracing different cultural aspects (Greek, Roman and Baroque). Criterion (vi): ancient Syracuse was directly linked to events, ideas and literary works of universal value.
Description
Siracusae Pantalica, through their extraordinary cultural diversity, offer exceptional evidence for the development of civilization over some three millennia. Located on the Mediterranean coast of southeastern Sicily, and having always enjoyed a favorable climate, the area of monuments and archaeological sites proposed for inscription on the World Heritage List has been inhabited since protohistoric times. The Necropolis of Pantalica covers about 1,200 meters from north to south and 500 m from east to west in the Sortino region. In a hilly area (caves and precipices) and a natural environment of great beauty, about 5,000 tombs are visible, most of which were dug into the rock. Archaeological research in this area has uncovered remains and vestiges of dwellings dating back to the time of Greek colonization. Materials of Mycenaean origin and monumental structures have been recognized, allowing the identification of the Anaktoron (Prince’s Palace). Similarly, it was possible to identify a period of reoccupation of the site in the 9th-10th centuries: the area was in fact used for defense against invasions of Sicily by Arab armies. In the part that was inhabited from the entire Neolithic period, and certainly from the beginning of the 13th century, Syracuse symbolizes from its foundation the development of the Greek presence in the Western Mediterranean. This city, founded in the 8th century was, according to the Ancients, very large and extremely beautiful. Its central core, today the island of Ortigia, controlled two natural harbors that had already become famous in antiquity. Ortigia consisted of five parts, giving rise to its alternative name of Pentapolis. The two ports are still identifiable today: Porto Piccolo to the east and Porto Grande to the west. Ortigia has a central main street and by a network of streets reminiscent of the orthogonal plan of the Greek city, built in the 7th century BC. The following Greek remains are visible (from north to south): Temple of Apollo (Apollonion); Ionic Temple; Temple of Athena (Athenaeion); The Catacombs, the largest except those in Rome, date from the early Christian period. Subsequently, many elements remain that testify to the troubled history of Sicily, from the Byzantines to the Bourbons, via the Arabs-Muslims, the Normans, the rule of Frederick II (1197-1250), the rule of the Aragonese, and the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies: the Church of St. John the Baptist (4th-16th centuries), the Church of St. Martin (6th-14th centuries), Palazzo Bellomo (13th-18th centuries), Palazzo Migliaccio, Palazzo Abeba Dunieli and Palazzo Francica-Nova (15th century), the Church of St. Francis at the Immaculate Conception (13th-18th centuries), the Church of the College (built by the Jesuits in the 17th century). The most famous monument, with its large square, is the cathedral, which incorporates the remains of a Greek temple dating from the 6th century BC. Excavations carried out in 1996-1998 under the square have enriched knowledge of the history of Syracuse and its ancient monuments. Established between 1952 and 1955, the Neapolis Archaeological Park includes the most spectacular Greek and Roman monuments that bear witness to Sicily’s past: the magnificent Greek theater; the Nymphaeum area (with the grotto); the sanctuary of Apollo; the imposing altar of Hieron II (king of Syracuse from 265 to 215 B.C.); the Roman amphitheater; the great stone quarries, also known as the lautumiae; and the Grotticelle necropolis, which contains the so-called tomb of Archimedes.
Source: UNESCO / CLT / WHC
Historical Description
Syracuse, in addition to its history-one of the oldest in the Western Mediterranean (excavations and research have uncovered an existing human presence as early as the Neolithic period, and in particular from the 13th century BC, and have confirmed the presence of the first Greek settlers-Corinthians who arrived, according to literary tradition, in 734 BC)-has experienced most of the vicissitudes of Sicily’s history.
Historical summary
9th century BC: The Phoenicians colonize the island. – 8th century BC: The Greeks, in turn establish a settlement on the east coast of Sicily (particularly Syracuse) and establish trading stations that rival those of the Phoenicians, and then those of Carthage, the Phoenicians’ western metropolises. – 5th-4th BC: Syracuse, the island’s principal city, exerts hegemonic control over all of Sicily (particularly under Dionysius the Elder: 405-367 BC). – 212 BC: Rome wins the first war against Carthage, conquers Sicily and makes it a province, which then becomes a granary. Syracuse is occupied after a long and bitter siege (213-212). – 5th-6th BC: Vandal rule is followed by Byzantine conquest (which lasted until the 9th century). – 9th-10th century: Arab-Muslims, after conquering Sicily by defeating the Byzantines, turn it into an emirate. The island prospered and Palermo, its capital, became a remarkable and brilliant cultural and artistic center. – 1061-1091: Norman rule of the entire island. – 12th century: Sicily becomes the center of a rich and powerful monarchy, with the flowering of a brilliant and composite civilization. – 1197-1250: The glorious period of Frederick II Hohenstaufen. – 1266: The Duke of Anjou, Charles I, brother of St. Louis, is crowned king of Sicily by the Pope. – 1282-1442: Sicily is under the control of Aragon. – 1442-1458: The kingdoms of Naples and Sicily are united forming the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies.
