Militello in Val di Catania ( Sicilian: ''Militeḍḍu'') is a ''

comune The (; plural: ) is a local administrative division of Italy, roughly equivalent to a township or municipality. It is the third-level administrative division of Italy, after regions ('' regioni'') and provinces (''province''). The can also ...

'' (municipality) in the Metropolitan City of Catania in the

Italian Italian(s) may refer to: * Anything of, from, or related to the people of Italy over the centuries ** Italians, an ethnic group or simply a citizen of the Italian Republic or Italian Kingdom ** Italian language, a Romance language *** Regional Ita ...

region

Sicily (man) it, Siciliana (woman) , population_note = , population_blank1_title = , population_blank1 = , demographics_type1 = Ethnicity , demographics1_footnotes = , demographi ...

, located about southeast of Palermo and about southwest of Catania, on the last slopes of the

Hyblaean Mountains The Hyblaean Mountains ( scn, Munt'Ibblei; it, Monti Iblei; la, Hyblaei montes) is a mountain range in south-eastern Sicily, Italy. It straddles the provinces of Ragusa, Syracuse and Catania. The highest peak of the range is Monte Lauro, at 98 ...

. It has a railway station on the line Catania-

Gela Gela (Sicilian and ; grc, Γέλα) is a city and (municipality) in the Autonomous Region of Sicily, Italy; in terms of area and population, it is the largest municipality on the southern coast of Sicily. Gela is part of the Province of Ca ...

History

Despite remains of prehistorical settlements and legends of a

Roman Roman or Romans most often refers to: *Rome, the capital city of Italy *Ancient Rome, Roman civilization from 8th century BC to 5th century AD *Roman people, the people of ancient Rome *'' Epistle to the Romans'', shortened to ''Romans'', a lette ...

foundation, the first mention of Militello dates from 1000 AD, when it became a marquisate under the Cammarana. The golden age of Militello was during the early 17th century, under the government of Prince

Francesco Branciforte Francesco Branciforte Barresi (15 March 1575 – 23 February 1622) was an aristocrat, Marquis of Militello and 4th prince of Butera, as well as a notable patron of the arts and sciences in Sicily. Biography He was born in Militello in Val di Cat ...

. The city was destroyed by an earthquake in 1693, but the subsequent restoration added numerous architectural and artistic works of art.

Main sights

Together with other cities of the

Val di Noto Val di Noto (English: ''Province of Noto'') is a historical and geographical area encompassing the south-eastern third of Sicily; it is dominated by the limestone Hyblaean plateau. Historically, it was one of the three valli of Sicily. History ...

, Militello has been inscribed in the

UNESCO The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) aimed at promoting world peace and security through international cooperation in education, arts, sciences and culture. It ...

World Heritage Site A World Heritage Site is a landmark or area with legal protection by an international convention administered by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). World Heritage Sites are designated by UNESCO for h ...

s List. Its main artistical attractions include:

Churches

*Mother Church of ''San Nicolò and Santissimo Salvatore'' (18th century) *''Santa Maria la Vetere'', with a 1506 portal by Antonello Gagini *'' Madonna della Catena'' (17th century), with a 16th-century niche *Abbey of ''San Benedetto'' (17th century) *''

Sant'Antonio da Padova Sant'Antonio, Italian for Saint Anthony, most often refers to places named after Saint Anthony of Padua or Sant'Antonio Abate: People Places Switzerland *Sant'Antonio, Bellinzona, municipality in canton of Ticino * Sant'Antonio (Poschiavo), ci ...

'', with a bell tower from 1719 *''

Santa Maria della Stella Santa Maria della Stella is a church located on Via Stella 25 in the quartiere of its name in Naples, Italy. History The church was built in 1571, to host an icon of the Virgin, previously held in an aedicule near Porta San Gennaro. The Minims r ...

(18th century) *''Santissimi Angeli Custodi'' late 18th century, with a precious ceramics pavement

Palaces

*''Barresi Branciforte'' Castle, with the Fountain of the Nymph Zizza (17th century) *''Palazzo Baldanza-Denaro'' (17th century) *''Palazzo Niceforo'' (18th century) *''Palazzo Baldanza'' (19th century) *''Palazzo Majorana della Nicchiara'' *''Palazzo Tineo'' *''Palazzo Reburdone'' *''Palazzo Reina''

References

External links