Noto in Sicily in 5 highlights

About 25 years ago I first came to Noto. The center seemed like a ghost town, it was hardly inhabited, many buildings were in scaffolding or had half collapsed. But since 2002, Noto, along with seven other cities in South-East Sicily, has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has been beautifully restored and can proudly bear the title Capital of Sicilian Baroque.

In 1693, ancient Noto was destroyed by an earthquake that struck all of southeastern Sicily, killing more than 60.000 people.

In 1703 the city was rebuilt. Not in the same place, but about 10 km away. You can also visit the old Noto, now called 'Noto Antica'. Only a few remnants remain.

A honey-coloured tufa stone was used for the construction of the new Noto, which takes on a golden color when the sun shines on it. When you walk through the old center, it seems as if you have ended up in a film set.

The city was designed at the drawing board by the architects Rosario Gagliardi, Paolo Labisi, Vicenzo Sinatra and Antonio Mazza. They opted for a rectangular design with 3 parallel streets:

• Corso Vittorio Emanuele: this is where the churches and monasteries are located, it is also called the street of the clergy, because it was here that the most important religious orders, the Franciscans, the Clarisses and the Benedictines, resided.
• Via Cavour: here are the palaces of the nobility, this street is the highest so that the nobility can look down on the plebs.
• That common people live at the Via Ducezio.

The streets are criss-crossed with side streets that run up the hill, sometimes with (painted) stairs. Noto now has approximately 24.000 inhabitants and there is more than enough to see and do.

These are 5 highlights of your future visit to Noto.

1. Porta Reale and Corso Vittorio Emanuele

At the beginning of the old town you will find the Porta Reale (1838), erected in honor of Ferdinand of Bourbon and where the Corso Vittorio Emanuele. At the top of the gate you will see a tower, symbolizing Noto's strength, a pelican representing sacrifice and a dog that shows Noto's loyalty to the Bourbon Kingdom.

The first building you will encounter on the Piazza dell'Immacolata is the church of Saint Francis with a beautiful stately staircase and a cloister on the right. This church was built between 1711 and 1750.

2. Santa Chiara

After that you will see on the left the Santa Chiara from 1748, designed by Rosario Gagliardi. The outside is not that special, but inside the church has a richly decorated baroque interior. Be sure to buy a ticket for the roof, from here you have a beautiful view of Noto and the surrounding area.

Further on is the Town Hall on the left and Noto Cathedral on the right.

3. Cathedral of San Niccolo

In 1996 part of the Cathedral of Noto and into the dome, this was the starting signal that not only the cathedral, but also the entire center had to be refurbished.

At the beginning of 2002, work began on restoring the buildings in Noto. The cathedral was finished in 2007. The inhabitants of Noto long believed that the church was cursed, because a part collapsed in 1844 and in 1966.

The cathedral is named after San Niccolò, but many believers also commemorate San Corrado here. Corrado was a well-known family in Noto. The first 'Corrado' retreated to Noto after causing a fire in the woods of Piacenza because he had set fire to undergrowth during a hunt in order to drive the animals out of the undergrowth. This fire caused countless deaths.

Corrado then moved to Noto in faraway Sicily where he devoted himself to the Church. He died in 1350 and his history is depicted on the entrance portal of the church.

4. Ducezio Palace

It is opposite the cathedral Palace Ducetiuswhere the city council resides. Inside you can admire the hall of mirrors and the meeting room of the city council. Go upstairs to the terrace, where you have a beautiful view of the cathedral.

Haven't seen enough yet? You can enjoy a beautiful view of Noto from the bell tower of the Chiesa San Carlo al Corso a little further on.

5. Palazzo Nicolaci

Walk through and take the first side street on the right to it Nicolaci Palace. in the 18^e century, the Nicolaci family was one of the wealthiest families in this area.

They built the 'tonnaro' (tuna processing factory) of Marzamemi and managed the tuna traps from Syracuse to Portopalo di Capo Passero.

But this family, however wealthy, did not belong to the nobility. That is why they were not allowed to build their palazzo in Via Cavour, the street of the nobility.

Out of sheer frustration, they built the most beautiful house in town. Pay particular attention to the details of the facade. There you see female figures and the cornucopia that symbolize the wealth of family. Winged horses represent freedom, the lions strength and ingenuity.

The last balcony is decorated with monsters that had the task of keeping the evil eye and the envy of the aristocratic families at bay. The palazzo can be visited from the inside.

The Corso Vittorio Emanuele ends in the square of XVI Maggio where the San Domenico church stands and across the street the Teatro Comunale.

Eat, drink and spend the night in Noto

The city's biggest event is on the third Sunday in May. Then the Infiorata of Noto. In the Via Nicolaci there is one large flower carpet. Different images of flowers are created and each year there is a different theme.

In 2023, the theme was 'Noto and film', depicting scenes from various films and television series shot in Noto.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Smgzu5xS8VY

Restaurants

You will find it on Corso Vittorio Emanuele Sicily coffee of the Assenza family with a wide variety desserts, ice creams en cakes. Besides in the morning you can also enjoy an aperitif here. Owner Corrado Assenza starred in the Netflix series Chef tables – Pastry.

Do you like street food? Then go to Putia del Coppo also on Corso Vittorio Emanuele. Here you will find a lot of fried seafood, but also fried vegetables.

Trattoria del Crocefisso is slightly higher near the Chiesa del Crocefisso. Chef Marco Baglieri grew up in Germany, but returned to Sicily to take over his parents' restaurant. He serves traditional dishes from a new angle.

How do you get to Noto?

Noto is located on the southeastern coast of Sicily, approximately 40 km southwest of Syracuse and more than an hour's drive from the airport Catania. By public transport it can be reached by train from Syracuse.

Overnight in Noto

Do you want to sleep over? Good idea! There are plenty of good hotels in Noto.

Some have a nice view over the cathedral if it Gagliardi Boutique Hotel Noto of Q92 Noto Hotel.

If you prefer to sit by the sea, go to Note Marina, there is also excellent accommodation.