Noto

The old Noto, situated North from the present day town, was inhabited since the Prehistory, as shown by the necropoli of the 17th-15th century BC .In the 5th century BC Siracusa influenced it; later the Romans, Barbarians, Byzantines and Arabs conquered it. The 15th century marked the cultural and economical development.

Noto sits on a plateau among in the valley of Asinaro, amidst Olive and Almond and Citrus plantations. This Baroque and copious beauty gave birth from the womb of a massive earthquake in 1613 and 1693 and floods in 1833 and 1902. It demanded a huge rebuilding effort. The new invention met all the standards established by the artistic movement of western culture, which between the seventeenth and the eighteenth century gave birth to baroque art.

The monumental gateway erected in 19th century allows us inside the city. This entrance symbolizes King Ferdinand I, who visited the town in 1838. Either side has towers and one with a Hand symbolizes strength and the other has a dog symbol to show loyalty.

The feasts for your eyes in Noto are the squares Piazza Immacolata, Piazza Municipio, Cathedral and Piazza XVI Maggio.

Piazza Immacolata – The stairway leads up to a terrace with a statue of the Virgin in the centre, stretched out before its dependent monastery. This holds notable work of art like painted wooden Virgin and Child attributed to Antonio Monachello, from Franciscan church in Old Noto.

Piazza Municipio – The broad steps to the right leads to the Cathedral with two beautiful horse-shoe-shaped hedges and to the left is the Palazzo Ducezio elevation. Palazzo Ducezio has curvilinear elements enclosed by a Classical type of portico designed by Sinatra.

Cathedral – The primary entrance with 2 tall towers doesn’t show the entire beauty of the undestroyed dome. Alongside the cathedral, on the same level, stand the 1800’s Palazzo Vescovile (Bishops Palace) and Palazzo Landolina di Sant’Alfano, both sober in their countenance in contrast with the exuberant style of the other buildings there.

Piazza XVI Maggio – The convex façade is the most elegant feature of Chiesa di San Domenico in this square

The Pride ruins or the monuments are the church of St. Dominic with its 18th century convent, the 19th century Bishop's Palace and the 18th century Town Hall.