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Noto Antica is located on Mount Alveria and has walls, fortifications, and ruins dating back to the Middle Ages. Not far from Noto, for example, stands Noto Antica (Netum), the original core of the city inhabited since prehistoric times up to the earthquake of 1693, which destroyed much of southeastern Sicily.
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Outside the old town, the territory of Noto is rich in fascinating places to visit, both from an archaeological and naturalistic point of view. In this way, discover the most evocative Baroque corners of this open-air architectural museum. The best way to appreciate the Noto’s old town is to "get lost" in its streets, encountering churches and palaces overlooking stairs, alleys, or large squares. The historic buildings remain open until the evening so that you can enjoy a show of rare beauty. Walking through the streets of Noto you will be impressed by their charm, accentuated at sunset by the lighting that provides a unique atmosphere to the city's visage. The famous Infiorata (flower art event) is held here each year.
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Next to the cathedral is Via Nicolaci, a beautiful street full of baroque palaces, balconies decorated with putti, animals, and mythological symbols. Nicholas) in front of which stands Palazzo Ducezio (Ducezioi Palace), where the Municipal Palace has its venue. Salvatore (Church of the Most Holy Savior), standing to its left.Ĭontinuing ahead along the main street of the city we come to the Cattedrale di San Nicolò (Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi of the Immaculate Conception), featuring an imposing stairway, and the Chiesa del S.S. Traveling along Corso Vittorio Emanuele we come to the Chiesa di San Francesco d’Assisi all’Immacolata (Church of St.
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At the entrance to the old town center is the Porta Reale (Royal Gate) leading to the nerve center of the city, where the baroque flaunts its creative capriciousness. The streets of Noto are interspersed with beautiful squares and imposing stairways connecting terraces, small houses, and aristocratic palaces. The city is called “the stone garden” thanks to its sumptuous palaces and monumental churches built with the richly carved golden local stone. Noto is a coordinated orchestra of a single and unified Baroque style, that has led to it being named a UNESCO World Heritage Site, in company with 7 other Baroque towns in the area.In 2002, Noto was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, along with Modica, Palazzolo Acreide, Ragusa, Scicli, Caltagirone, Militello in Val di Catania, and Catania. The beautiful decorations adorning the buildings with stuccoes and carvings complimented by intricate wrought iron work, lend an elegance to the overall scheme. There is a cheerful air to Noto, a city that exudes a spirit of playfulness and culture at the same time. The theater is a plush jewelry box of an opera house. The Duomo is a towering cathedral set above a flight of stairs with a pair of matching bell towers. It is a delightful facade that looks like a turn of the Renaissance-to-Baroque style.
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Via Nicolai bears many of the monuments, including Palazzo Villadorata with its elaborate stone carvings and the Palazzo Ducezio, now the town hall, which boasts a hall of mirrors inside. There is no shortage of prestigious palaces, either. The oval interior of Santa Chiara is cozy the facade of San Carlo Borromeo looks like Borromini designed it and the opulence of Montevergine leaves you breathless. You'll want to contrast some of them, with their differing variations on the Baroque theme. Sunset makes Noto shine golden, and it is particularly magical in the evening when the floodlights and street lamps play on the warm colored stone. The result is a honey-hued place constructed of local limestone with a spectacular symmetry that makes it a delight. It was rebuilt from the ground up in 1693 following a destructive earthquake, opting to start afresh in a new spot 10 kilometers from the original city center. This is a well-planned town that utilized a perfectly proportioned urban plan to create a beautiful Baroque city. One glance at Noto and you'll see why it's referred to as "the pearl of Sicily".
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