Noto, UNESCO Baroque town in southeastern Sicily, Italy
Noto is a Baroque town in the Province of Syracuse in southeastern Sicily, recognized as part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The buildings made of honey-colored limestone line wide streets arranged on several terraced levels connected by monumental staircases.
Architects designed a completely new town plan at a different location after the earthquake of 1693, using geometric principles. Over the following decades, churches, palaces, and public buildings rose in the late Baroque style of that period.
Local families gather in the main squares during early evening hours, while children play near the stone balconies and elderly residents chat on benches. Small workshops along the side streets sell traditional ceramics and sweets made using recipes handed down through generations.
The main street runs relatively flat and is easy to walk, while side lanes often have steps and uneven paving. Visitors should wear comfortable shoes and bring enough water, especially during the hot summer months.
Each May, artists create elaborate flower mosaics along Via Nicolaci, transforming the street into a natural art gallery during the Infiorata festival. The colorful patterns cover several dozen meters of street paving and draw visitors from across Sicily.
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