Militello in Val di Catania

Militello in Val di Catania
Comune
Comune di Militello in Val di Catania

Coat of arms
Militello in Val di Catania
Location of Militello in Val di Catania in Sicily
Militello in Val di Catania
Militello in Val di Catania (Italy)
Coordinates: 37°17′N 14°47′E / 37.283°N 14.783°E / 37.283; 14.783
Country Italy
Region  Sicily
Metropolitan city Catania (CT)
Government
 • Mayor Giovanni Burtone
Area
 • Total 62.2 km2 (24.0 sq mi)
Elevation 413 m (1,355 ft)
Population (2016)[1]
 • Total 7,359
 • Density 120/km2 (310/sq mi)
Demonym(s) Militellesi
Time zone UTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST) UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code 95043
Dialing code 095
Patron saint Santissimo Salvatore and Santa Maria della Stella
Saint day August 18 and September 8
Website Official website
UNESCO World Heritage site
Part of Late Baroque Towns of the Val di Noto (South-Eastern Sicily)
Criteria Cultural: (i)(ii)(iv)(v)
Reference 1024rev-003
Inscription 2002 (26th Session)
Area 1.43 ha (154,000 sq ft)
Buffer zone 27.48 ha (2,958,000 sq ft)

Militello in Val di Catania (Sicilian: Militeddu) is a comune (municipality) in the Metropolitan City of Catania in the Italian region Sicily, located about 160 kilometres (99 mi) southeast of Palermo and about 35 kilometres (22 mi) southwest of Catania, on the last slopes of the Hyblaean Mountains. It has a railway station on the line Catania-Gela.

History

Despite remains of prehistorical settlements and legends of a Roman 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. 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, Militello has been inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites 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, with a bell tower from 1719
  • Santa Maria della Stella (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

  1. ↑ All demographics and other statistics: Italian statistical institute Istat.


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