Sicily’s architectural treasures extend well beyond its best-known destinations. In the island’s southeast, Militello in Val di Catania brings together grand churches, historic palaces, and intimate piazzas in a town whose streets reward a leisurely wander.

In 2025, Militello won Il Borgo dei Borghi, the Italian television competition celebrating the country’s exceptional small towns. The award, announced on Rai 3, brought national attention to a destination that many visitors to Sicily have yet to discover.

For travelers drawn to architecture and local history, there is plenty here to explore.

A Town Shaped by Reconstruction

Much of Militello’s architectural character emerged after the devastating earthquake that struck southeastern Sicily in 1693. The rebuilding that followed helped transform the region, leaving an extraordinary collection of late Baroque buildings.

Militello is one of eight towns represented in the UNESCO World Heritage site known as the Late Baroque Towns of the Val di Noto, inscribed in 2002. Its inclusion connects it with celebrated destinations such as Noto, Ragusa, and Modica, all shaped by the same period of reconstruction.

That history provides a backdrop to a walk through town. Elaborate church façades and stately buildings invite attention, while smaller courtyards and fountains offer reasons to pause between landmarks.

Explore Beyond the Main Piazza

Start with the Chiesa Madre di San Nicolò–Santissimo Salvatore, one of Militello’s defining churches. Continue to the Santuario di Santa Maria della Stella, another important stop for understanding the town’s religious and artistic heritage.

Militello also preserves traces of an earlier world. The remains of the Barresi-Branciforte Castle offer a glimpse of its medieval past, adding another layer to a place often associated with Baroque architecture.

Near the town center, the archaeological area of Santa Maria la Vetere reaches further back into local history. The church has Norman origins, and the site includes the Cripta dello Spirito Santo, a funerary space carved into rock, with burial niches marked by crosses.

Leave time between these visits to explore without a fixed route. Part of Militello’s appeal lies in the connections between its monuments: a narrow street opening onto a square, a balcony above a doorway, or a fountain encountered along the way.

Experience Its Festival Traditions

August brings the Festa del Santissimo Salvatore, a religious celebration featuring processions, music, and fireworks. For visitors interested in community traditions, the festival offers a different perspective on the town.

It also changes the atmosphere. If you want a quieter visit, keep in mind that festival days can be lively and busy.

Add Nature to the Journey

The nearby Cascate dell’Oxena offer a change of scenery, with waterfalls providing a natural counterpart to Militello’s stone streets and historic buildings.

For a broader journey through southeastern Sicily, Militello can also be combined with Noto, Modica, or Syracuse’s island district of Ortigia. Allowing time for each destination gives you room to appreciate its individual character.

Militello’s appeal is easy to understand: significant architecture, layers of history, and a townscape best explored at walking pace. Its national award offers an introduction; its streets give you reasons to linger.