Noto Mobility 27/03 – 01/04 of the Deep European Cultour project (KA229-Exchange Partnership between Schools)

Απρ 14, 2023 | Δημοτικό, Ευρωπαϊκά Προγράμματα

On the first day (27/3/2023), students of each team (Polish, Romanian, Turkish, Greek) presented their work:

1. an artistic masterpiece of their cultural heritage
2. an art lexicon.

Greek students presented artistic masterpieces from the Prehistoric Period to Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantine eras. They discussed in greater detail the “Antikythera Mechanism” because of its unique harmony and beauty. It was clearly the result of a lot of imagination and a great work of Art.

Afterwards, a group of Matteo Reali students costumed as models in a “tableau vivant” carefully posed to represent Leonardo’s Da Vinci “the last supper”. Throughout the display, the actors didn’t speak or move. This Italian extinguished artwork represents the last “dinner” between Jesus and his disciples. In the meantime, teachers took part in an exhibition of traditional, Italian clothes and tried some on.

In the afternoon we discover the UNESCO World Heritage Listed Baroque town of Noto in Sicily on a guided walking tour by Mattero Reali students. The itinerary started from the Palazzo Ducazzio (Town Hall) and led to a visit from the inside and the most beautiful monumental churches that Noto had to offer. We were able to admire the Church of San Francesco, the Church of the Immaculate Conception and the Church of Santa Chiara, after which we went up the eccentric Via Nicolaci, famous for the Infiorata and the most beautiful Baroque balconies in Sicily. We also visited and took a tour of the school facilities located in the centre of the town.

Finally, teachers and students officially visited the city town hall and met with the authorities.

On the second day of mobility (28/3/2023) students of each country participated in a laboratory about a masterpiece of the artistic heritage with the use of digital graphics, while teachers had a project meeting and took decisions for the Erasmus closure.

We created a common art work about a masterpiece of artistic heritage with the use of digital graphics.

On the third day (29/3/2023) Students and teachers of each group visited the ancient Roman Villa “del Tellaro“ and participated in a laboratory about the traditional preparation of bread and bakery.

The ruins of a late Roman villa sit under a farmhouse from the 1700s, it is a recent discovery (only 40 years ago …), and the site has been subject to careful restoration and reconstruction, successfully safeguarding the Roman ruins as well as the more recent farm (only a couple of centuries-old). The result was very interesting, as both structures are clearly identified and partially displayed; in particular, the mosaics of the Roman villa are worth enjoying a good look at.

On the fourth day (30/3/2023) of the mobility students and teachers visited the archaeological park of Neapolison a guided tour. During this walk, we discovered many classical monuments of Greek and Roman Syracuse, old Roman streets, as well as the Greek Theatre, whose cave is one of the largest ever built by the ancient Greeks.

Near the Greek Theatre, we visited the latomie, including the limestone cave known as the “Ear of Dyonisius,” as well as the amphitheatre of the Roman imperial age, and more. Then, continue to Ortygia Island to experience the historic heart of Syracuse. Located at the park’s eastern end, and separated by a narrow channel, Ortygia is filled with Greek temples, Christian churches, and Arabian streets. Our guide was very knowledgeable and enthusiastic to provide us with as much info as possible. She was very pleasant and fun to be with.

On the fifth day (31/3/2023) students and teachers went for a hike among the ruins of the old town whose site, surrounded by deep canyons, is like a palimpsest preserving the traces of Sicilian history.  It was well worth the 20-minute drive north to the original town (Noto Antica) which was destroyed and completely abandoned after the 1693 earthquake. It is a magical place to wander around. Not excavated or managed in a particular way, you can see the ancient city wall, the remains of the old Norman castle and tumbled-down churches, palaces, and houses all now overgrown with trees and bushes over a large area. Students and teachers were offered a 3D virtual tour. We virtually wandered the ancient Noto spaces.  There were fabulous views down to the sea and it was a wonderful place. It has a very special feeling to be in a place which was a major thriving bustling city a little over 400 years ago but is now quiet and abandoned to the plants and birds.