Noto Sicily
A garden of pink and golden stone, scattered with magnificent Baroque churches and palazzi
A piazza bordered by supremely elegant palazzi built in a warm-colored stone of soft pink and golden yellow hues. An imposing flight of steps leading up to a majestic cathedral. Any number of incredibly ornate façades, typical of the Baroque period. This is Noto, Sicilian town in the province of Siracusa, declared Cultural Patrimony of Humanity by UNESCO, in recognition of its immense beauty.
The origins of the town, once known as Neas, go back to long before the Greeks and Romans arrived here, and centuries before the Arabs gave it the name of Noto. What is certain is that in 1693, the town fell victim to a devastating earthquake which completely destroyed the whole urban center. Strangely enough, this tragic episode proved to be Noto's greatest fortune - leading to the representative of the Spanish Viceroy, the Duke of Camastra, deciding to completely rebuild the town in grandiose Baroque style.
The local stone used to build the churches and palazzi, of a quite unique pink color with a distinctly golden glow has added to the uniqueness of this Sicilian town. Rosario Gagliardi was the architect responsible for many of Noto's most highly-appraised edifices, including the Churches of Santa Chiara and San Domenico; buildings which, alongside the cathedral, Palazzo Vescovile, Palazzo Ducezio and Palazzo Landolina, face on to the town's main piazza.
Suggested hotels Noto and surroundings
Sicily 5 stars
Antica Badia Relais Ragusa
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Sicily 4 stars
Algilà Ortigia Siracusa
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Hotel Lady Lusya Cassibile
Hotel Lady Lusya is a property of notable historic interest. In what was once the heart of the Spinagallo Manor, the building was originally home to an aristocratic Sicilian family, before becoming...
Locanda Don Serafino Ragusa
The hotel Locanda Don Serafino is situated in Ibla, the picturesque historic center of Ragusa, recently included in the Unesco's World Heritage list. The perfectly restored building dates back to...
Poggio del Sole Resort Ragusa
A fine example of how traditional architecture and contemporary design can combine so as to create a particularly luxurious environment, the Poggio del Sole Resort occupies a stunning 19th century...
Sicily Seaside Residences
Monteluce Country House Noto
Monteluce is a fabulous Mediterranean country house hotel immersed in a landscape abundant in century old olive groves and lemon trees, just 2kms away from the fascinating nature reserve of...
9 - 16 °C
