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Towns and cities in Sicily
Noto Travel Guide
Noto epitomises the grandeur of Baroque town design, rebuilt from the catastrophic 1693 earthquake to become a symbol of resilience and artistic vision. Reconstructed on an entirely new site, the town was conceived under by the architects Labisi, Sinatra, and Gagliardi. Today, Noto invites visitors to wander through its golden-hued streets, where the sun's rays dance on the soft limestone buildings, casting a spell of warmth and light unique to this enchanting town.
Soulful villas near Noto
Noto Travel Guide
About the area
From its strategic urban layout to the artistic flourishes that adorn its buildings, Noto, set in the southeast of Sicily, is a masterpiece of Baroque design. The plan was to create a perfectly proportioned urban centre divided into three parts by roads running from east to west, thus ensuring the constant attention of the sun. The principal building material used for the town’s redesign was local compacted limestone, a substance that transforms the sun’s rays into a soft golden-honeyed glow. The effect at sunset is quite something. Part of a UNESCO Heritage Site (along with the neighbouring towns of Ragusa, Modica and Scicli), Noto is not to be missed. More than just a baroque town, it is a subliminal expression of originality, fantasy, obsession, and man’s resilience in the face of the overwhelming force of nature.
Noto Travel Guide
Things to do in Noto
- Stroll Along Corso Vittorio Emanuele: The main thoroughfare is Corso Vittorio Emanuele along which many of Noto’s most representative buildings stand. It begins at the Porta Reale and extends west via three piazzas, each with its own church. The public gardens are situated along this road (or at least looking on to it) as is the Monastero del Santissimo Salvatore with its graceful tower, the inspired Palazzo Ducrezio, the cathedral, the Church of San Francesco, the Jesuit Church and College, and Palazzo Nicolaci di Villadorata.
- Explore the Cathedral and Surrounding Piazzas: The heart of Noto, where the Cathedral of San Nicolò stands as a monument to the town's resilience and artistic spirit.
- Visit Palazzo Nicolaci di Villadorata: Marvel at the flamboyant balconies and opulent interiors, a testament to Noto's noble past. All the churches are open to the public and several of the palazzi, including Palazzo Castelluccio and Palazzo Nicolaci, offer guided tours.
- Celebrate the Infiorata Festival: In the middle of May, Noto celebrates the marvels of spring and the coming summer with a colourful festa known as the Infiorata. Via Nicolaci becomes home to flower artists from all over the world who create a carpet of beautiful petal mosaics inspired by the year's theme.
- Relax at Caffé Sicilia: Caffe' Sicilia, in Corso Vittorio Emanuele, 125, was voted the best Bar in Italy a few years ago. Its cakes and granitas (flavoured crushed-ice drinks) are divine! Try the peach and basil version in the summer.
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