the heart of Sicilian Baroque
NotoIn the western part of the province of Syracuse lies Noto, perched on a rise overlooking plains adorned with warm colors. It's just a few kilometers far from the stunning Mediterranean coast, and it's an elegant city waiting to be discovered.
A visit to Noto is almost a cultural obligation: its architectural heritage has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 2002, a source of pride for all of Italy. The city is situated on a rock, commanding a view over the valley of the Asinaro River. Noto's beauty arose from an unfortunate event - an earthquake that destroyed the old Noto, but paved the way for the construction of this baroque gem. In the year 1693, the tremors almost razed the entire city to the ground, devastating a significant portion of southeastern Sicily, claiming 60,000 lives. The new city was meticulously built in Baroque style, oriented along the four cardinal directions, ensuring perfect illumination of the facades. The effect is picturesque and becomes even more splendid at sunset when the sun bathes the facades of churches and houses in warm pastel hues.
