Noto Attractions
Location and topography
Following the 1693 earthquake old Noto was abandoned and, with the help of a number of well-known master-builders, completely rebuilt on its present site 16km/10mi away. It is one of Sicily's most attractive Baroque towns.
History
The ancient town of Neetum (now known as Noto Antica or Noto Vecchia) lay some 20km/13mi from the coast and about 400m/1,300ft above the Arsinato valley. It was inhabited by Siculan settlers and in the seventh century B.C., came under the influence of Syracuse and was fortified by them. It was of some importance in Roman times and also under the Byzantines, who built a castle to defend the town and the fertile land around. From the Arabic period onwards the southeastern part of Sicily was named Val di Noto, after the town of Noto. At that time it supplanted Syracuse as the provincial capital and retained this leading role until 1865.
The earthquake of 1693 wreaked such havoc that, at the instigation of Count Giovanni Battista Landolina of Syracuse, it was decided to abandon the town entirely and build a new one nearer the coast. The architects Rosario Galgliardi, Paolo Labisi, Antonio Mazza and Vincenzo Sinatra produced the plan for the new town in 1703, and it is this that Noto has to thank for its unique layout. The plan is based on a square grid system of streets, with three main axial roads running east to west on the slope one above the other: these are Via Ducezio, Corso Vittorio Emanuele with two prestigious squares, and Via Cavour. These three streets are crossed by a further axial road leading uphill, Via Principe Umberto. This grid was filled with churches and palaces, producing individual variety within a stylized unit, and thanks to the use of the bright-colored local limestone the whole district has a festive and cheerful air.
Following the 1693 earthquake old Noto was abandoned and, with the help of a number of well-known master-builders, completely rebuilt on its present site 16km/10mi away. It is one of Sicily's most attractive Baroque towns.
History
The ancient town of Neetum (now known as Noto Antica or Noto Vecchia) lay some 20km/13mi from the coast and about 400m/1,300ft above the Arsinato valley. It was inhabited by Siculan settlers and in the seventh century B.C., came under the influence of Syracuse and was fortified by them. It was of some importance in Roman times and also under the Byzantines, who built a castle to defend the town and the fertile land around. From the Arabic period onwards the southeastern part of Sicily was named Val di Noto, after the town of Noto. At that time it supplanted Syracuse as the provincial capital and retained this leading role until 1865.
The earthquake of 1693 wreaked such havoc that, at the instigation of Count Giovanni Battista Landolina of Syracuse, it was decided to abandon the town entirely and build a new one nearer the coast. The architects Rosario Galgliardi, Paolo Labisi, Antonio Mazza and Vincenzo Sinatra produced the plan for the new town in 1703, and it is this that Noto has to thank for its unique layout. The plan is based on a square grid system of streets, with three main axial roads running east to west on the slope one above the other: these are Via Ducezio, Corso Vittorio Emanuele with two prestigious squares, and Via Cavour. These three streets are crossed by a further axial road leading uphill, Via Principe Umberto. This grid was filled with churches and palaces, producing individual variety within a stylized unit, and thanks to the use of the bright-colored local limestone the whole district has a festive and cheerful air.
Villa del Tellaro
The Villa del Tellaro is a Late Roman villa dating from the fourth century, in which the imposing mosaic floor and other interesting parts have been exposed. Similar in style to that of Casale near Piazza Armenira, the mosaics display mythological and hunting motifs.
To reach the Villa del Tellaro take the ordinary road from Noto to Pachino and after 2km/1.25mi turn right past the Tellaro bridge on to a signed road to the Caddedi farmstead.
To reach the Villa del Tellaro take the ordinary road from Noto to Pachino and after 2km/1.25mi turn right past the Tellaro bridge on to a signed road to the Caddedi farmstead.
Bishop's Palace
Near the cathedral in Noto stands the Bishop's Palace in a square with the former monastery church of Santissimo Salvatore adjoining it. Opposite is the church of the convent order of Santa Chiara, with its square facade and long, oval interior designed by R. Gagliardi.
Castelluccio
Castelluccio was the site of a prehistoric village in the second century B.C., where archaeologists have discovered graves and cult-objects from the Castelluccio culture named after it; these are on display in the museum in Syracuse.
To get there follow the SS 115 southwestward for 7km/4.5mi and then turn off northwest and continue for a further 16km/10mi.
To get there follow the SS 115 southwestward for 7km/4.5mi and then turn off northwest and continue for a further 16km/10mi.
Chiesa del Collegio
The Chiesa del Collegio in Noto was built c. 1740 and probably by R. Gagliardi. Near it are the Piazza XVI Maggio with its fountain and statue of Hercules, and the Chiesa di San Domenico, built after 1737 to a design by R. Gagliardi.
It has a powerful, convex front, behind which lies a triple-aisled interior with a central drum-shaped dome.
It has a powerful, convex front, behind which lies a triple-aisled interior with a central drum-shaped dome.
Chiesa del Crocifisso
Via Salicano leads to the Piazza Mazzini, the north side of which is dominated by the Chiesa del Crocifisso, built in 1715. The two lions at the base of the columns in the doorway of the unfinished facade date from the Romanesque period.
Inside, in front of the first pillar on the right, stands a medieval lion, and on the altar in the right transept is a marble Madonna della Neve by Francesco Laurana (1471). A monumental crucifixm dominates the chancel.
Inside, in front of the first pillar on the right, stands a medieval lion, and on the altar in the right transept is a marble Madonna della Neve by Francesco Laurana (1471). A monumental crucifixm dominates the chancel.
Chiesa di Montervergine
The Chiesa di Montevergine in Noto is a building with a concave front by V. Sinatra (1762). To its right, near the neighboring Palazzo Astuto, is the beginning of a stepped lane leading up to the Upper Town.
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Eloro
Eloro, 2km/1.25mi south of Noto Marina, is the ancient Heloros at the mouth of the Tellaro. Founded by Syracuse, remains can be seen of the sixth/fifth centuries B.C. town wall, the theater, an extensive shrine to Demeter to the south, and to the northwest the 9m/30ft high column of a Greek funerary monument, the Colonna Pizzuta, erected over an underground burial chamber or hypogeum.
Museo Civico
To the left of San Francesco in Noto can be seen the imaginatively formed rear façade of the Santissimo Salvatore monastery, which now houses the Museo Civico, with the entrance on the Piazza del Municipio. The museum's exhibits embrace an archeological collection, finds from medieval Noto and a display of modern art.
Noto Marina (Lido di Noto)
This seaside resort with holiday flats, also known as Lido di Noto, lies 7km/4.5mi southeast of Noto. The sandy beach extends as far as Eloro.
Palazzo Landolina
On the west side of the square, to the left of the cathedral, can be seen the 19th century Palazzo Landolina de Sant'Alfano.
Palazzo Villadorata
On returning to the junction with Via Nicolai (on the left) the visitor's attention will be drawn to the 1737 Palazzo Villadorata by P. Labisi with its lavishly sculpted balcony supports.
San Corrado di Fuori
The pilgrimage site of San Corrado di Fluori, dedicated to the patron saint of Noto, lies 5km/3mi north of Noto on the SS 287.
Town Hall
The Cathedral, and the Town Hall in Noto from which the Piazza del Municipio gets its name, face each other across the square. The Town Hall is to be found on the south side of the square in the Palazzo Ducezio, the name of which is a reminder of the Siculan origin of ancient Neetum (or Noto) and in particular of the Siculan Prince Duketios. Vincenzo Sinatra built the elegant, two-storeyed Palazzo in 1746.
