Militello in Val di Catania
| Militello in Val di Catania | ||
|---|---|---|
| Comune | ||
| Comune di Militello in Val di Catania | ||
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  Militello in Val di Catania Location of Militello in Val di Catania in Italy | ||
| Coordinates: 37°17′N 14°47′E / 37.283°N 14.783°E | ||
| Country | Italy | |
| Region | Sicily | |
| Province / Metropolitan city | Catania (CT) | |
| Government | ||
| • Mayor | Francesco Spataro | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 62.2 km2 (24.0 sq mi) | |
| Elevation | 413 m (1,355 ft) | |
| Population (March 2009)[1] | ||
| • Total | 7,939 | |
| • Density | 130/km2 (330/sq mi) | |
| Demonym(s) | Militellesi | |
| Time zone | CET (UTC+1) | |
| • Summer (DST) | CEST (UTC+2) | |
| 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 | |
Militello in Val di Catania (Sicilian: Militeddu) is a comune (municipality) in the province 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 Iblean Mountains. It has a railways 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
| Late Baroque Towns of the Val di Noto (South-Eastern Sicily) | |
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| Name as inscribed on the World Heritage List | |
| Type | Cultural |
| Criteria | i, ii, iv, v |
| Reference | 398 |
| UNESCO region | Europe and North America |
| Inscription history | |
| Inscription | 2002 (20th Session) |
