Noto is the first biggest municipality in Sicily and the fourth in Italy. With its 26,000 inhabitants, this little city in the Province of Siracusa has an interesting historic centre. Discover its amazing noble palaces, churches and statues, everything made with a particular yellow stone, typical of this area.
Noto, a village in the Province of Siracura
Noto is located near the municipality of Pachino, famous for a tomato that is grown on the sand. It is close to Avola, renowned for its almonds production, and Modica, famous for the chocolate as well as other interesting ancient cities like Ispica.
How to visit it
If you decide to visit Noto, I suggest you spend a day and visit the heart of Noto by taking a stroll in Main Street, Corso Vittorio Emanuele. Here you will find the Cathedral dedicated to Saint Nicolò. In the typical yellowish stone that is produced here, it is a landmark of many Sicilian cities like Ragusa Ibla or Caltagirone.
Right in front of the Cathedral, stands another beautiful Palace, the Municipio, as we call the Town Hall.
Sometimes, the stairs of the Cathedral become the stall area for concerts and exhibitions. In this case, the stage is placed right in front of the Town Hall, which becomes a great background for the show.
The amazing Palazzo Nicolaci
In Via Nicolaci, a cross street of Corso Vittorio Emanuele, you will find Palazzo Nicolaci. The Palace once belonged to a famous and noble family of Noto and now is owned by the Municipality. The visit costs 4 euros per person. You will receive some pieces of information from a guide and also a little brochure to read, which you shall give back at the end of the visit. The visit takes a minimum of one hour. The palace is really beautiful and you can also enjoy the view from its balconies.
Noto should be visited during the “Infiorata” in the middle of May. During this event, which celebrates the flower blossoming, one of the descending cross streets of Corso Vittorio Emanuele is fully covered with flowers.
Ferragosto, one of the main festivities
Here is what I saw on the occasion of Ferragosto, the celebration of August 15, with the streets covered with coloured salt.
The street is parallel to that of Infiorata. The effect is quite similar, but of course, with flowers, more spectacular.
Do not forget the Natural Reserve
If you want to go to the seaside, you can easily reach the Lido of Noto, but also the Natural Reserve of Vendicari with the beach of Cala Mosche.
Before leaving Noto, remember to try its delicacies at Caffè Sicilia. And if you want to try traditional dishes, I suggest Dammuso, not cheap but worth a dinner.
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