Explore a Sicilian city and UNESCO World Heritage site that was given new life after a devastating earthquake.
I learned about Noto, Sicily, from a fantastic book about Sicilian history, Sicily
During the 17th century, Noto was part of the Spanish Empire and expanding rapidly. That was until 1693 when a devastating earthquake leveled the town. Instead of rebuilding the ruined city, they moved Noto to a new location and started anew. Instead of a haphazard medieval city, the new Noto was going to have a lovely grid system and be closer to the sea. Noto was now the “Stone Garden” with its baroque buildings built of shining honey tufa. It’s truly a wonderful town.
The beautiful Noto Cathedral, completed in 1776.
The interior had been changed to a more Neo-Classical style after the church was finished, which later lead to weakening of the structure. An earthquake struck in 1990 and the dome of the cathedral collapsed in 1996. The church roof had to be reconstructed and the church reopened in 2007. The interior is not just mostly painted white.
Side chapel in the front of the cathedral.
They did, however, repaint a few sections in very, very bright blue. Not sure how I feel about that.
Across the street from the cathedral is the Palazzo Ducezio, the town hall.
Next door to the cathedral, is this cool looking building.
If you head around the corner and up the street a bit you will find Palazzo Niccolaci di Villadorata and its awesome balconies. It’s the building on the right.
All the balconies are supported by these outlandishly ornate stone supports.
They are kind of ridiculous.
Further up the street is the Chiesa di Montevergine.
The church is perfectly placed at the head of a street and the facade is curved. Pretty neat. I wasn’t able to check out the inside though.
Even the buildings a block north from the cathedral were pretty impressive.
I really liked this building. The doorway was impressive, and I loved the balconies and the color choice of the shutters.
Super fancy.
Back down to the main road and super weird balcony supports. A couple of them are sticking their tongues out.
San Carlo, one of Noto’s other famous churches.
San Carlo was very yellow. Similar to the cathedral in design on the interior, just smaller and the original ceiling.
I really liked this chapel, an unexpected color choice.
Now heading the opposite direction, past the cathedral to Santa Chiara.
Santa Chiara was my favorite church. So ornate and beautiful. It’s also oval!
Little chapel altar with an interesting mustard yellow color choice.
The nuns were hidden up there behind that screen.
Those top windows are interesting. I wonder what purpose those weird screens serve.
San Francesco. You can make out the church’s careful minder in the doorway. You better make a donation when you enter.
San Francesco has very interesting plaster work all over the walls, very ornate and very white.
It is very pretty but extremely white. I don’t think it used to be so white. Santa Chiara has the same plaster work.
Pretty well preserved though. Very fancy.
San Francesco is almost out of the Baroque part of town.
Which is marked by this huge, fancy gate, Porta Reale. I think you are actually supposed to enter through there. Oops.
Noto, Sicily, is a fantastic place to spend a day and do spend a day exploring. Early December is not the best time to visit as much of the town is shut down for the holidays, including some of the museums, but I still had a good visit and wander. The town is so beautiful, and I am so glad I went out of my way to see this wonderful place.
Check out my next update where I visit the amazing city of Syracuse, Sicily!
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Explore more of the fantastic country that is Italy!
