What to do and see in Val di Noto, Sicily: The Best Historic Sites

April 16, 2022 Brandee Mangan

Discover the best top things to do in Val di Noto, Italy including Villa Rigoletto di Catania, Palazzo Biscari, Chiesa di San Nicolo All'Arena, Piazza Duomo, Duomo di San Giorgio, Portale di San Giorgio, Cappella Bonajuto, Saint Biagio Church - Sant'Agata alla Fornace, Complesso di Santa Maria la Vetere, Municipio di Scicli.
Restaurants in Val di Noto

1. Villa Rigoletto di Catania

Viale Mario Rapisardi 114, 95123 Catania, Sicily Italy +39 340 669 1861 http://www.italialiberty.it/scheda/villarigoletto/
Excellent
83%
Good
17%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 6 reviews

Villa Rigoletto di Catania

2. Palazzo Biscari

Via Museo Biscari 10, 95131 Catania, Sicily Italy +39 095 328 7201 [email protected] http://www.palazzobiscari.it
Excellent
67%
Good
23%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
2%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 459 reviews

Palazzo Biscari

The most important private palace in Catania and precious testimony of the Sicilian baroque. The frescoed halls, full of charm and elegance, represent a splendid setting for concerts, meetings, receptions, gala evenings, fashion shows.

Reviewed By Carolbike - White Salmon, United States

The owner is an excellent story teller about the original prince and his family, bringing the history of this well-maintained palazzo to life. It was very interesting.

3. Chiesa di San Nicolo All'Arena

Piazza Dante, 95124 Catania, Sicily Italy +39 095 715 9062
Excellent
56%
Good
33%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
2%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 212 reviews

Chiesa di San Nicolo All'Arena

Reviewed By ludortravel - Iasi, Romania

It is an astonishing piece of architecture in terms of both size, architectural solutions and emotional impact. It includes also a memorial of the fallen soldiers and not only. The entrance is free and a paid guided tour is available.

4. Piazza Duomo

Piazza Duomo, Catania, Sicily Italy http://www.comune.catania.it
Excellent
59%
Good
33%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 3,939 reviews

Piazza Duomo

Reviewed By saronic - Zurich, Switzerland

Catania's Piazza del Duomo is definitely the center of the city and probably also its most beautiful square. Besides the Duomo it is surrounded by various attractive buildings like the Palazzo dei Elefanti, which on its backside touches the Piazza Università. Opposite of it, to the south, is the Seminario dei Chierici with - attached to it - the Porta Uzeda. In the center of the square is the city's symbol, a fountain with an elephant surmounted by an obelisk. There are usually plenty of people in the piazza, many obviously using it as a meeting point.

5. Duomo di San Giorgio

Piazza Duomo, 97100, Ragusa, Sicily Italy +39 334 705 8962 http://www.diocesidiragusa.it/diocesi/strutture/ragusa/14-san-giorgio
Excellent
66%
Good
28%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 974 reviews

Duomo di San Giorgio

Reviewed By Elena257 - Timisoara, Romania

This church is one of a kind. It dominates the square. Inside you will see the only church having curtains hanged between the columns. You can also have a small tour if the old church destroyed after earthquake.

6. Portale di San Giorgio

Via dei Normanni, 97100, Ragusa, Sicily Italy
Excellent
59%
Good
33%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 296 reviews

Portale di San Giorgio

Reviewed By SallyF906 - Northampton, United Kingdom

Not far from the Giardini Ibleo, this is all that remains of the Church of San Giorgio that was destroyed in the C17th earthquake but it is certainly worth going to have a look. Originally built in C14th probably by the notable Chiaramonte family it is constructed in the Catalan Gothic style. In the lunette you can see St George slaying the dragon and above that the House of Aragon coat of arms.

7. Cappella Bonajuto

Via Bonajuto 9/13, 95100 Catania, Sicily Italy +39 328 923 7991
Excellent
64%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
4%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 83 reviews

Cappella Bonajuto

Cappella Bonajuto is one of the few tangible witnesses of a far away era (the Bizantine era), which however may be seen and explored, but mostly lived through the careful management of this corner of history, which has made all this possible. Once here you can choose to visit the chapel and its past, or choose it as an ideal location for your events or important occasions. The experience will take you back in a time that began at the beginning of the VI century A.D. "Cappella Bonajuto: Historical site. A Bizantine monument immersed in the heart of Sicilian Baroque" Walking on Via Vittorio Emanuele, entering its narrow and ancient streets, you'll find one of the strongest monuments of Medieval Catania: Cappella Bonajuto awaits you in all of its reborn splendor to be lived, just as it was in the past. The religious building, dating back to approximately the VI century is found in the 'Civita' neighborhood, and this is where the Chapel resisted the terrible earthquake of 1693. It is rich with repertories from the 400's and from medieval times. The paintings and decorations are very rare. Concerning its original location, the ground level of the building has dropped over two meters due to the earthquakes and lava flow. Salvatore, popularly known as Salvatorella, was integrated in the construction of the home residence of the Bonajuto family in the 4th century. In the 1930's the chapel was renovated by Paolo Orsi and Sebastiano Agati.

8. Saint Biagio Church - Sant'Agata alla Fornace

Piazza Stesicoro, 95100 Catania, Sicily Italy +39 346 960 6373 http://www.comune.catania.it/la_citt%C3%A0/il_filo_di_arianna/la_citt%C3%A0_ricostruita/Chiesa_di_San_Biagio.aspx
Excellent
55%
Good
35%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 94 reviews

Saint Biagio Church - Sant'Agata alla Fornace

Reviewed By ludortravel - Iasi, Romania

Sant'Agata alla Fornace church is a very important place for the people of Catania. The tradition says that here is the place where Saint Agatha, the patron of the city, was tortured. This and many other interesting facts and legends can be learn during the guided tour. It costs only one euro per person and you have the opportunity to learn from passionate young guides like Luca a lot about the saint, about the church and about Catania.

9. Complesso di Santa Maria la Vetere

Via Santa Maria la Vetere, 95043 Militello in Val di Catania, Sicily Italy
Excellent
50%
Good
38%
Satisfactory
13%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 8 reviews

Complesso di Santa Maria la Vetere

10. Municipio di Scicli

Via Francesco Mormino Penna 2, 97018, Scicli, Sicily Italy +39 0932 839111 http://www.italialiberty.it/scheda/municipioscicli/
Excellent
50%
Good
39%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 147 reviews

Municipio di Scicli

Reviewed By SallyF906 - Northampton, United Kingdom

A beautiful building in fictional 'Vigata', this is used as the set of the TV series Montalbano from March to July and you are able to take a tour of the rooms. Our guide spoke excellent English and my husband and myself were the only ones on the tour - you get to see the police station reception, Montalbano's office then upstairs is the commissioner's office. You can also buy a combined ticket that includes 2 local churches as well. If the love the TV series, you must go - my husband even got to sit behind the desk!

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