About
Noto is a historic city in southeastern Sicily, in Italy. It is known above all for its Baroque architecture, most of it built in the 18th century after a severe earthquake struck the region in 1693. The town was rebuilt on a new site and in a new style, and its honey-coloured stone buildings now form one of the best-known Baroque ensembles in Europe. Noto is recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
What a visit offers
Most visitors come to walk. The historic centre is laid out along a wide main street, lined with churches, palaces and balconies carved with figures and ornament. Because the buildings share a warm local stone, the streets have a consistent look that many people find striking, especially in the lower light of morning and late afternoon.
- Strolling the main thoroughfare and its side streets, looking at the carved facades.
- Visiting the churches and palaces that make up the Baroque centre.
- Photographing the city's stonework, which changes colour through the day.
Around the town
Noto sits in a part of Sicily where other Baroque towns of the same period are close by, so it suits a visitor interested in the island's architecture as a whole. The surrounding countryside and the Sicilian coast are within reach, and a day in Noto pairs well with time spent exploring the wider region. A slow pace suits the town best: it is compact, and much of its character comes from taking in its details rather than rushing from one sight to the next.
