GAGLIARDI, Rosario

The construction of Noto Cathedral began in the early 18th century and was completed in 1776. It is dedicated to Saint Nicholas of Myra.

The building of the cathedral was part of the general reconstruction in Sicily following the devastating earthquake of 1693. It was designed by Rosario Gagliardi in the style of the Sicilian Baroque, and was completed by Bernardo Labisi, the son of Paolo Labisi (c. 1720-1798), who added some Neoclassical elements.

Artists from the mainland supplied to a large extent sixteenth-century art and architecture in Sicily. This situation changed in the course of the seventeenth century, and for more than 150 years most major building operations in cities were carried out by Sicilians. The eastern part of the island was devastated by the earthquake of 1693, and after the earthquake a great reconstruction period was started. Magnificent structures arose even in small towns such as Modica, Ragusa, Noto, and Grammichele.

The Church of San Giorgio in Ragusa is a typical example of the well known Sicilian Baroque. Along with San Giovanni, San Giorgio is one of the patron saints of Ragusa Ibla, and the devotion to this saint was brought here during the Norman period (1091-1194). This church was almost destroyed by the 1693 earthquake and so Rosario Gagliardi redesigned and rebuilt on the ruins of the original.

Artists from the mainland supplied to a large extent sixteenth-century art and architecture in Sicily. This situation changed in the course of the seventeenth century, and for more than 150 years most major building operations in cities were carried out by Sicilians. The eastern part of the island was devastated by the earthquake of 1693, and after the earthquake a great reconstruction period was started. Magnificent structures arose even in small towns such as Modica, Ragusa, Noto, and Grammichele.

The Church of San Giorgio in Ragusa is a typical example of the well known Sicilian Baroque. Along with San Giovanni, San Giorgio is one of the patron saints of Ragusa Ibla, and the devotion to this saint was brought here during the Norman period (1091-1194). This church was almost destroyed by the 1693 earthquake and so Rosario Gagliardi redesigned and rebuilt on the ruins of the original.