Statue of San Corrado

The Statue of San Corrado is a bronze sculpture depicting Saint Conrad of Piacenza, the patron saint of Noto, located in the eastern part of the city, in Piazzale Luigi Adorno.

THE SAINT

Corrado Confalonieri was born in 1290 in the town of Calendasco, now a municipality in the Province of Vicenza, and died while in prayer, kneeling before a crucifix, on February 19, 1351, in Netum (Noto Antica).

At his request, he was buried at the Church of St. Nicholas. After the city was struck by earthquake in the 1690s, his body was transferred to the new church of the same name built in the relocated city, now called Noto.

Pope Leo X beatified Conrad on July 12, 1515, and permitted the town of Noto to celebrate his feast day on February 19. On June 2, 1625, he was canonized by Cardinal Odoardo Farnese, in a solemn ceremony held at the Cathedral of Piacenza.

THE STATUE

The statue of Saint Conrad of Piacenza, caught in the act of blessing the faithful, was inaugurated in 1955 on the occasion of the solemn patronal feast held every year on the last Sunday of August.

The sculpture, about 2 meters high, standing on a marble base, is the work of the Tuscan artist Mario Ferretti who, after graduating from the Academy of Fine Arts in Florence, moved to Sicily in the mid-fifties to devote himself to teaching.

The austere figure of the saint, who was restored in 2014, was placed back on its marble base in 2015, celebrating on this occasion 500 years since his beatification.

TIP: From Piazzale Luigi Adorno, it is possible to admire a beautiful panoramic view over the Cozzo Marotta Hill. On the ridge of the hill, there are visible rock tombs, and some ruins of the ancient Necropolis of Noto Antica (Ancient Noto).

HOW TO GET THERE

The Statue of San Corrado is located about 900 meters away from the Noto railway station. To find the statue on foot, use the map below.