By Paolo Pilia
Noto is an important and beautiful town of Sicily world famous for its monuments and baroque buildings, made virtually all at the same time after a strong earthquake in 1693. It is not a coincidence that Noto was included in the Unesco World Heritage List.
The city is a must for all tourists who have in mind vacation tour in Sicily, full of monuments to visit. There is the Church of San Francesco, built by the Sinatras, along with the Benedictine Monastery (within which there is the church of Santa Chiara) which mark in the main square of Noto the highest architectural point of Noto with the characteristic staircase that leads to the beautiful cathedral.
The restoration of interior of the cathedral, unfortunately severely damaged by the collapse of the dome and the nave in 1996, was finally finished in 2007.
Just in front of the cathedral is the city's Town Hall (Palazzo Ducezio) and the bishop's palace. The upper part of the city, as beautiful as the other, offers the Church of the Crocifisso (the Gagliardi), where it is possible to admire the famous Madonna della Neve Laurana.
Appart from the churches there are other noble buildings in Noto of particular relevance such as Palazzo Nicolaci, Palazzo Trigona, Palazzo Astuto which best represent the splendor and beauty of this beautiful corner of Sicily. There are many tourist events distributed throughout the year. It is worth mentioning the celebrations of the Santo Patrono, Corrado Confalonieri, in the middle of February, and the baroque spring held in the city in late May.
Coming from the neighborhoods of the city, a few miles from Noto is located the ancient city, rich center in Roman times and still very important in the Middle Ages, completely destroyed by a strong earthquake. The remains of the old town are in fact neither protected nor made available for tourism and are almost completely submerged in vegetation. Another important archaeological center is Eloro, founded by Syracuse in the seventh century BC. All the most important remains, historical and cultural, have been transferred to the Museo Civico di Noto.
From about 5 years now Noto has had an important growth in the tourist market who discover the architectural beauty of one of the areas that can be defined as an authentic and the last really baroque city. It remains, however, one of the least known places for the holidays in Sicily, which makes it still viable and appreciated in full during high season.
There is to say, however, that for a better sleep is advisable to move towards Noto Marina wich is well-equipped with more and better services. Not to be missed: a stop in the taverns of Noto, in search of sweets and gastronomic specialties that do not betray the expectations, as in any other part in Sicily. remains one of the least known places for the holidays in Sicily, which makes it still viable and appreciated in full during high season.
There is to say, however, that for a better sleep is advisable to move towards Noto Marina wich is well-equipped with more and better services. Not to be missed a stop in the taverns of Noto, in search of sweets and gastronomic specialties that do not betray the expectations, as in any other part in Sicily.
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Source:www.isnare.com |
