Noted
A Sicilian jewel carved in golden stone, amid scenic squares, spectacular balconies and fiery sunsets. Discover the UNESCO World Heritage city and be won over by its timeless elegance.
Noto, the Capital of Baroque
Noto is much more than a city: it is an open-air work of art, an ode to Sicilian Baroque. Located a short distance from the sea, in the heart of the Val di Noto, this fascinating city is recognized as one of the world’s most extraordinary architectural wonders. It is no coincidence that it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Completely rebuilt after the devastating earthquake of 1693, Noto is the result of an avant-garde urban planning vision for the time. Architects Gagliardi, Sinatra, Labisi and Mazza, led by the erudite Landolina, imagined an ideal city: ordered like a chessboard, scenic like a theater, elegant like a Baroque opera. The city was built on the side of a hill, with wide airy squares, parallel streets and theatrical perspectives capable of leaving one breathless.
Corso Vittorio Emanuele II is the backbone of Noto, a monumental avenue that begins at the majestic Porta Reale, a triumphal arch erected in honor of Ferdinand II. Shortly after is Piazza dell’Immacolata with the scenic Church of the same name, connected by an imposing flight of steps. On the opposite side, the façade of the Convent of San Salvatore, with its tower dominating the view, stands out.
The beating heart of Noto is Piazza Municipio, considered by many to be the most beautiful square in Sicily. This is overlooked by the splendid Cathedral of San Nicolò, with its wide staircase, overlapping columns on two levels and two bell towers framing the sky. Opposite stands the elegant Palazzo Ducezio, seat of the Town Hall, with its curved portico embracing the square. Next to it, the Bishop’s Palace and Landolina Palace complete the picture of urban nobility.
A little further on, on Nicolaci Street, stands the iconic Palazzo Nicolaci di Villadorata, famous for its Baroque balconies, supported by corbels carved with grotesque figures and fantastic animals. It is one of the most photographed views of Noto. The street also hosts theInfiorata di Noto, every May: a carpet of artistic flowers that transforms the street into a living art gallery.
Piazza XVI Maggio is another gem, home to the Municipal Theater and the Church of San Domenico, one of Gagliardi’s most harmonious works, with a convex facade that seems to embrace the visitor. Also not to be missed are Via Ducezio and Via Cavour, with palaces and churches that tell the story and style of Sicilian nobility.
For those who want to delve deeper into the city’s origins, it is worth pushing on to Noto Antica, a few kilometers inland. Here, among ruins and castle ruins, you can breathe in the original soul of the city, once a thriving medieval center.
Noto is an invitation to dream, a journey through time among golden stone and fiery sunsets. Discover our villas nearby and experience the unique thrill of staying in the heart of Sicilian Baroque.