|
Why Noto - Small and relaxed Baroque town
- Nearby beaches
More about Noto Noto is a pleasant and attractive little town situated 35km southwest of Syracuse towards Ragusa, 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 the new town several miles away. Thus Noto was rebuilt on its present site, carefully designed for functionality and architectural harmony. The surrounding area was first inhabited during the Bronze age between 2000 - 1500 BC. The town is situated only 8km from the seaside town of Marina di Noto with it's white sandy beaches and crystal clear water. Within easy excursion range are the towns of Syracuse (35km), Modica (39km), Ragusa (55km) and an endless supply of beaches, antique 'masserie' and delightful villages.
Things to see in Noto The neo-classical church and convent of the Holy Savior dates from 1703, the Church of San Francesco from 1745, the latter at the top of a splendid wide stairway whose steps curve all the way up to the entrance. The 'Museo Civico,' or Civic Museum, is situated on the first floor of the Holy Savior convent, at 134 Corso Vittorio Emanuele. It contains pre-historic objects, ancient Greek pottery and statuettes from a Greek sanctuary dedicated to the deities Kore and Demeter. The next plaza you will come to is Noto's main square, the Piazza Municipio, where you'll find the Cathedral of Noto. Unfortunately, the cathedral's dome (cupola) collapsed due to an earthquake a few years ago however it has now been rebuilt and new frescoes do credit to the majesty of the church. The Palazzo Vescovile (Bishop's Palace) is next to the cathedral while the town hall is opposite, across the square. Noted for its elegant portico, the Town Hall, known as Palazzo Ducezio, was built in the Neo-Classical style in 1746 to plans by Vincenzo Sinatra. Palazzo Alfano flanks the left side of the Cathedral, and next to it is the Palazzo Villadorta. The latter was built for a Sicilian aristocrat in a fanciful Baroque style back in the 18th century. Palazzo Villadorta is decorated with superb wrought-iron balconies and a series of fantastic statuettes of nymphs, lions, ogres and other mythical animals; the effect is similar to that of Villa Palagonia in Bagheria. Towards the end of the Corso, you will come to Noto's last large piazza, the Piazza XVI Maggio. Here you will find the Church of San Domenico, with its elegant curving facade built in 1727 by the architect Gagliardi. The Villetta di Ercole is a little villa which has a fountain with a statue of Hercules. It is said that this statue is a Greek work recovered from the ruins of Noto Antico, but there is some disagreement. The Vittorio Emmanuele Theater is also located here and dates from 1842.
|
