Noto, UNESCO Baroque town in southeastern Sicily, Italy
Description
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.
History
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.
Culture
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.
Practical
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.
Did you know?
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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Noto Cathedral
1.4 km
Val di Noto
0 m
Nature reserve of Vendicari
10.3 km
Calamosche beach
6.9 km
Villa Romana del Tellaro
5.3 km
Tonnara di Marzamemi
16.1 km
Palazzo Ducezio
1.4 km
Santa Maria Maggiore
18.9 km
Santoni
25.1 km
Castelluccio di Noto excavations
15.6 km
Chiesa di San Paolo
25.8 km
San Sebastiano
25.4 km
Greek theatre of Akrai
25.7 km
Santa Chiara
1.3 km
San Domenico, Noto
1.7 km
San Carlo al Corso
1.5 kmPorta Reale
1.1 km
Palazzo Di Lorenzo del Castelluccio
1.9 km
Santissimo Crocefisso
1.6 km
Spiaggia Lido di Noto
4.2 km
Riserva naturale integrale Grotta Monello
16.7 km
Cava Lazzaro
16.8 km
Grotta Calafarina
18.2 km
Laghetti principali di Cavagrande
9.8 km
Santissima Annunziata
18.8 km
Mangiafico
6.3 km
Colonna Pizzuta
4.2 km
Museo archeologico di Palazzo Cappellani
25.4 kmDiscover hidden gems everywhere you go!
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