Amongst the locusts, citrus plantations and almond groves of the Val di Noto we find that churches and sumptuous mansions have flourished. Following the 1693 earthquake that devastated the southeastern corner of the island, the architects responsible took their inspiration from the Roman baroque masterpieces, outdoing them in exuberance of form, volume and themes chosen for sculpted decorations. This is traditional baroque, commonly known as Val di Nota baroque, and it can be distinguished from town to town for its use of construction materials. It is a style that whilst being original in each place makes this land a single, great architectural and artistic scenography. The towns included on the list of World Heritage Sites include Modica, Noto, Palazzolo Acreide, Ragusa Ibla, Scicli, Catania, Caltagirone and Militello in Val di Catania.

At the very centre of a chain of rolling, green hills, Piazza Armerina is the lively and cultured heart of the province of Enna; it has a wealth of parks and gardens, together with Medieval, Renaissance and Baroque monuments. It knew its greatest splendour during the Middle Ages, the era of the Norman, Count Ruggero. It is famous throughout the world for the Mosaics of the Roman Villa del Casale which, given their narrative quality, the variety of subjects represented and the numerous colours used constitute a priceless artistic document for their presentation of the customs of Roman times. The mosaics cover an area of 3,500 m2.