Noto

Culture, Monuments, Tipical places
- 96017 Noto

    South of the city of Siracusa you come across Noto, a town that owes its beauty to the tragic earthquake that in 1693 destroyed most of the South Eastern Sicily city.
    Originally the town was 10 km away from today’s center; completely destroyed by the earthquake, Noto was then rebuilt in Baroque style in a less impervious place.

    Reconstruction, led by the Duke of Camastra, was done through the study of perspective and playing with lines and decoration of facades. Three main roads were built and they go from east to west so that the sun is constantly reflected on the beautiful buildings here located. The rich baroque decoration, embroidery and stone statues, which has led the city to be awarded with the title of “World Cultural Heritage” by UNESCO, are present in all the buildings of the old town starting from the Church of St. Francis to the simple but elegant church of St. Chiara, or from the area of St. Salvatore to the masterpiece” St. Domenico “, up to a reborn Cathedral with its magnificent and imposing stairway.

    The warm tones of the stone of the baroque buildings, the streets among citrus groves, olive and almond groves, surround the tourist in a unique atmosphere.
    Every third Sunday of May, Noto’ streets are colored and adorned with flower and petals of the “Infiorata”, which celebrates the arrival of summer.

    Those who visit the baroque town in the spring can admire the “flowered” paintings that reproduce each year a different theme.