That Noto, a town of just under 25,000 inhabitants, is the fourth Italian municipality by extension, speaks volumes about its historical importance and political influence, which saw Syracuse as its rival in south-eastern Sicily. The history of Noto is millenary, probably pre-existing to the Greek colonization. However, the Noto we know today was rebuilt 8 km further south than the original site , following the devastating earthquake that razed it in 1693. This refounding work has in fact turned out to be a laboratory of brilliant engineering and artistic minds of 18th century Europe, able to give light to the urban plan of refined baroque architecture known today as the historical center of Noto, which became a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2002.


The historic center is a succession of palaces, churches, squares and stairways, built in limestone and sandstone which gives the architectures shades between golden and rosé. Certainly there are certainly the typical ornaments of the Baroque, indeed there is evidence of considerable value, but what makes Noto so special and interesting, so as to be unanimously considered the capital of the Sicilian baroque, is the association ornament of an extraordinarily complex and elaborate architectural style. Another uniqueness of Noto was the contingency of the meeting of engineers and artists with the same architectural taste, in the same historical moment (obviously influenced by the baroque fashion of the time), which gave the entire historical center such uniformity of style be considered one great work of art.


This feeling of architectural coherence, of overall planning and synergistic, I have always tried looking out from the square in front of the Church of Santa Chiara (ancient cloistered monastery, with marvelous interiors), enjoying the view of Palazzo Ducezio (Town Hall) on the left and the Minor Basilica of San Nicolò (the cathedral) on the right, and then abandon the view along Corso Vittorio Emanuele, glimpsing the Church of San Carlo with its tall bell tower and the Palazzo Landolina next to the cathedral. Noto is not a summary of the Sicilian baroque, Noto is the condensation of all its characteristics expressed masterfully. As for the ornamental elements, not at all secondary to the architectural complexity, the Infiorata < / strong> , set up along the Via Nicolaci, has always been an opportunity for me to admire the beautiful balconies of Palazzo Nicolaci di Villadorata , supported by perhaps the most interesting corbels of Sicilian baroque , depicting lions, infants, mythological and monstrous creatures.


In Noto you can easily get there thanks to the (in fact) highway that connects it with the Catania airport. From the Agricamping Sophia it can be reached by car in about twenty minutes, along the provincial road 19 "Noto-Pachino". From Pachino it is also possible to go there by bus. More "secular" aspect but equally interesting is that in Noto one can also eat very well and taste excellent granitas. However I would prefer to deepen this culinary excursus, if you want, directly here at the Agricamping Sophia ... We are waiting for you!