We the Italians June 14, 2015 - 62 | Page 14

th # 62 • JUNE 12 , 2015 Giacomo Apostolo and in the palazzi of Corte Capitanale and the Civic Museum. Militello Val di Catania, rather, is based on a very particular urban plan from before 1693, redone in that original form during the late-Baroque reconstruction. Among the main sites are the Churches of San Nicolò and Santa Maria della Stella. to be born again, ex novo; it is now one of the pearls of the late Baroque, with its splendid Piazza del Duomo - seat of the Palazzo degli Elefanti and the Amenano Fountain – and the Via dei Crociferi. Other places of note are the Abbey of St. Agatha, the Collegiata Basilica, the Benedictine Monastery and Palazzo Biscari. Rehashed in a completely new area is the city of Noto, also divided into two levels. The newer section, on an incline, Caltagirone also testifies to the provides a spectacular comremaining strong ties between position of streets and builthe periods pre- and post-ear- dings in the Baroque, from thquake. Its rich architecture nobile palaces such as Palazzo and the beauties of its facades Ducezio to religious comlexes are born by churches like that - the Cathedral of San Nicolò, of Santa Maria del Monte, San for example. Even Catania had Finally, the last pearl on the string of the Noto Valley's cities is represented by magnificent Scicli, where churches and patrician villas make for a visibly-striking urban panorama. Specifically, Palazzo Beneventano (especially its glorious facade) is an architectonic and artistic masterpiece. particular importance are the Churches of San Sebastiano and of Saints Peter and Paul. Of rare beauty, Modica and its old Castle center is located high on one of the hills running in the Iblei Mountains, while the other, newly-constructed one lies down in the valley. Among the spectacular urban monuments, the Cathedral of San Giorgio and the Church of St. Peter (the “Duomo” of the lower city) certainly merit a visit. 14 | WE THE ITALIANS www.wetheitalians.com