"Noto a small City full of history!" Noto by Propermark

Noto Travel Guide: 21 reviews and 188 photos

Situated in the south-eastern corner of Sicily, Noto is famous for its Baroque architecture, and since 2002 it has been part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site 'Late Baroque Towns of the Val di Noto'.

Generally listed as one of the 'must-see' tourist attractions of this part of Sicily, Noto is a pleasant and attractive little town, with a historic centre that is composed almost entirely of crumbling Baroque palaces, churches and houses. The town's striking architectural coherence is due to the major earthquake that struck Sicily in 1693. The old town of Noto was almost completely destroyed, and it was decided to reconstruct a splendid new town several miles away. Thus Noto was rebuilt on its present site, carefully designed for functionality and architectural harmony.

The principal tourist activity in Noto is simply a wander around the narrow streets, admiring the golden-coloured stone buildings, the fantastical facades and balconies.

The main street, Corso Vittorio Emanuele, runs from the imposing gateway of Porta Reale (close to the park and the bus stop) along past the Chiesa di San Francesco (1704-1745), which sits atop its long staircase, to the town's central piazza. Here the grand cathedral, the Duomo (1693-1770), faces the pretty Palazzo Ducezio (1746), now the seat of the Town Council. An admission fee of €1 admits you to one of the reception rooms within, the Sala degli Specchi ('hall of mirrors'), a palatial room with mildly interesting 19th Century frescoes.

Some of the fanciest balconies in town belong to the Palazzo Nicolaci (1739), where chubby beasts and cherubs stare down at Via Nicolaci. A suite of rooms on the second floor is open to the public (€1.50 admission). Sadly-dilapidated (although restoration work is promised), the wide spaces and painted walls evoke headier past times, as well as offering you the chance to step out onto a balcony and admire the view over Noto.

A third attraction open to the public is the Chiesa di San Carlo, back on the Corso. For € 1.50 you can climb the narrow spiral staircase up the belltower (campanile) to admire more views.

Around Noto, other sites to see if you have a car include Noto Antica, the older, ruined town. There are further archaeological sites at Eloro (ruined Helorus) and Palazzo Acreide (former Akrai). Also within reach are Ragusa, a similarly-appealing Baroque town, the necropolis at Pantalica, and the provincial capital, Siracusa.

Over recent years an initiative has started to restore Noto's crumbling buildings - most crumbly of which was the famous Duomo, whose dome actually collapsed. While this preservation work may be good news, it does mean that some buildings are under scaffolding and several churches are closed to the public. Work on the Duomo is scheduled to finish in 2006: until then you'll have to be satisfied with the representation painted onto the sheeting covering the facade.

There's not a great deal to see in Noto; and most visitors only spend a day there. However if you're looking for a peaceful place to stay for longer, there are a few B&Bs in Noto, as well as several in the countryside nearby (ideal if you have rented a car and want a break from Sicily's urban centres). More hotels can be found in Noto Marina, a coastal town about five miles away.

Noto, Sicilia, Italy, Europe

Noto a small City full of history! - Noto

Last visit to Noto: Dec 2004
Intro Updated Sep 6, 2005
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Reviews (2)

Accommodation in Noto Hotels (1)

On the edge of the historical centre and close to the public gardens, this small B&B offers decent facilities in a handy... more travel advice

Travel to Noto Transportation (1)

Noto is in the Province of Siracusa, and can be reached in about 40 minutes from the larger town. Two different bus... more travel advice

Travelogues (1)

Written May 19, 2005

8 photos

The Flowers Festival in Noto

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Comments (8)

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willy_wonka Mar 27, 2007 at 6:03 PM

for a long time i have wanted to go to sicily. perhaps one day! lovely photos marco!
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MJB123 Dec 15, 2006 at 3:33 PM

Nice Noto pictures Marco. Noto is reason number 254,631 why I should go to Sicilia.
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gilabrand Jul 4, 2006 at 5:29 AM

Useful tip (if I ever get there)...
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SugarFeet Jun 17, 2006 at 2:14 AM

Good fotos and flowers fantastic
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rozehill Jan 24, 2006 at 10:18 AM

Do you think this accommodation is good value?
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globetrott Dec 18, 2005 at 3:34 PM

that flower-festival looks great !
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Mikebond Sep 22, 2005 at 12:11 AM

Ho sentito parlare molto di Noto e penso che ci andrò quando verrò in Sicilia (e qui si pone, come per tutti i miei progetti di viaggi, la domanda "sì, ma quando?").
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CALSF May 23, 2005 at 5:55 AM

Noto looks like a very pretty city architecturally. The flower festival pics are beautiful.