Militello in Val di Catania: Borgo dei Borghi 2025

Militello in Val di Catania has been recognized as the Borgo dei Borghi 2025. This highly prestigious award crowns the village as the most beautiful in Italy for 2025. Its architectural treasures, lush landscapes, and rich blend of history and tradition make Militello in Val di Catania a true jewel. With just over 6,000 inhabitants, it is a focal point of the Val di Noto. This victory also marks the fifth time that Sicily has won the title of the region with the most beautiful village in Italy.

Militello in Val di Catania: a village with millenary history

Militello in Val di Catania represents a unique thread in the historical fabric of Sicily. Inhabited since the Copper and Bronze Ages, its earliest settlement is shrouded in legend.

One of the most fascinating hypotheses suggests that Militello was founded by Roman garrisons during the Second Punic War. This theory is supported by the etymology of the name, derived from the Latin Militum tellus (“land of soldiers”). More widely accepted historical sources, however, trace the foundation of the urban nucleus to the Norman reorganization of Sicily, when Count Roger I divided the inland fiefs among his soldiers.

A pivotal date in its history is January 11, 1693, when a devastating earthquake struck. From that tragedy, however, came the rebirth of the village, rebuilt by the local nobility into a Baroque masterpiece.

In 2002, Militello in Val di Catania was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of the Val di Noto. In 2020, it joined the Borghi d’Italia association, was named the most beautiful village in Sicily in 2022, and in 2025, it triumphed as Borgo dei Borghi.

Militello in Val di Catania: an irresistible village

What earned Militello this prestigious recognition is its extraordinary combination of scenic beauty, architectural splendor, and rich cultural and culinary traditions.

Nestled in the stunning Val di Noto, the village offers breathtaking views of Mount Etna, rugged woodlands, and clay-colored landscapes. It is a place where nature and history intertwine in a unique experience.

Militello is also a Baroque jewel. Its sacred buildings are majestic, particularly the Sanctuary of Santa Maria della Stella, built after the 1693 earthquake. This masterpiece of Sicilian Baroque features a three-tiered façade with a monumental staircase, statues of saints and angels, a grand tympanum, and an interior with three naves and an imposing dome.

Among the civil buildings, the Barresi Branciforte Castle stands out. Once a symbol of Sicilian nobility, it consists of several structures arranged around a central courtyard. Though no longer intact—having been divided and sold to private owners in the 20th century—it still dominates the town with its austere entrance, corner towers, and defensive walls.

Culinary traditions

Being in the heart of Sicily, Militello also boasts a rich culinary heritage. Visitors can savor typical dishes such as pasta alla norma, caponata, cannoli, cassatelle della zia monaca, savory scacciate filled with wild greens, and the famous blood oranges of Sicily. Local restaurants and trattorias prepare these specialties with fresh, traditional ingredients, offering a true taste of Sicilian authenticity.

Militello in Val di Catania is not just a village—it is a living mosaic of history, art, and flavors, now officially crowned as the most beautiful village in Italy for 2025.