Noto Sicily, baroque perfection

Discover Noto, a delightful small town that hosts some of the best baroque monuments of the entire Sicily

 

A UNESCO Heritage site, Noto is a destination not to be missed in your Sicily tour.

The original town (“Noto Antica”) was completely destroyed by the terrible 1693 earthquake (you can still visit its fascinating ruins, a few Kilometers away from the “modern” Noto).

Noto was then rebuilt from scratch, in the sublime elegance, originality and fantasy of the Sicilian Baroque style.

Noto Sicily is very easy to visit. Simply wander the length of the Corso Vittorio Emanuele, along which many of Noto’s most representative buildings stand. And if you feel lazy in a hot Sicilian summer day, have a tourist ride in a delightful APE (typical Italian motorized tricycle).

Noto Sicily_tourist public transport

What to see in Noto

First stop: Porta Reale

Porta reale (“Royal Gate”) is the main entrance to Noto historical town, and the first sight you will find after parking your car.

Noto Sicily_Porta reale

Noto Sicily_Madonna

Second stop: Noto’s cathedral and main barocco public buildings

Noto’s cathedral rises impressively above Corso Vittorio Emmanuele and is approached by a wide and graceful flight of steps. Its dome collapsed in 1996 due to another earthquake, but has now been perfectly restored.

The monument is made of the same limestone which makes all monuments in Noto, and that over time gradually becomes golden-colored, especially at sunset.

Noto Sicily_Cathedral Noto Cathedral 3

Opposite the cathedral is Palazzo Ducezio, the town hall. To the left of the cathedral you can admire the Landolina di Sant’Alfano palace.

Noto Sicily_Corso Vittorio Emanuele

Noto Sicily_Palazzo Comunale

Noto Sicily - church

Just in front of the cathedral, in Piazza Municipio, don’t miss a delicious ice cream  (“Gelato”) at Caffé Amarcord.

Noto Sicily_Granite

Third stop: lovely inner streets

After visiting the cathedral, keep on diving down side streets here and there, while heading to Via Nicolaci, at the top of which is the beautiful elliptical façade of the Chiesa di Montevirgine.

Noto Sicily-street

Noto Sicily_ altare

Along one side of Via Nicolaci stands the Palazzo Villadorata, whose many playfully buttressed balconies – horses, griffons, nymphs, cherubs, fierce bald men – jut from a severely Classical façade.

Noto Sicily Noto Sicily_Architectural detail

Noto Sicily_Barocco balcony

Noto Sicily_Architectural detail

In via Nicolaci you will also find the delicious Cantina di Noto.

It’s a wine bar (they sell the wines of their own wine yards) and a fabulous place to for a lunch snack or a dinner.

Noto Sicily_local restaurant

Near the end of the Corso is Piazza XVI Maggio with its magnificent Church of San Domenico and a magnificent Fountain of Hercules.

Noto Sicily_fountain

Noto Sicily_Corso Vittorio Emanuele  Noto Sicily_church

At the end of May, Noto celebrates the marvels of Spring and the coming summer with a colourful “Festa” known as the “Infiorata”. The street of Corrado Nicolaci becomes home to flower artists who create the most beautiful mosaics using petals.

Noto Sicily_Infiorata

Enjoy your visit to Noto!

You may also be interested in reading my Enchanting Taormina  and Siracusa: Sicily at its best


Like Delightfully Italy? So why don’t you support it!

All you need to do is to use Booking.com by clicking on the banner below to book you next trip. It won’t cost you a Penny and you’ll get the best deals on accommodation available anywhere!



Booking.com

Delightfullyitaly.com is the insider’s Italy travel guide for independent travelers. Here you will find city guides, travel itineraries, Italian experiences and much more.

Are you planning to visit Italy for the first time? You already discovered Venice, Rome, Florence, the Amalfi coast, but still want more? Either way, delightfullyitaly.com is here to disclose to you Italian Must See as well as Italian hidden treasures.

And if you like what you read, why not follow delightfullyitaly.com and get free updates?

2 Replies to “Noto Sicily, baroque perfection”

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.