The history of Noto prior to the 1693 quake belongs to the old town, now called “Noto Antica” and known in antiquity as “Netium”. The remains of the early inhabitants are almost entirely hidden beneath the ruins of the mediaeval town.

Today Noto is considered, with good reason, the triumph of baroque style, and it is undoubtedly the heart of the “Val di Noto”, the valley of the Sicilian Baroque belonging to the UNESCO heritage list since 2002.

One of its unique features lies in the typical golden-honeyed color of the buildings; this is due to the fact that the main building material used for the reconstruction was the local limestone, a substance that absorbs the sun’s rays and transforms them into a gold-like sparkling. Enjoy the breathtaking view of the city at sunset, and you’ll be enchanted by this shining effect.

A walk in the city centre is an immersion in the virtuosity and magnificence of churches and palaces. Just enjoy the stroll along Corso Vittorio Emanuele, and let yourself be enchanted by Noto’s most representative buildings; the majestic Cathedral, the Church of San Francesco, the Jesuit Church and College and Palazzo Nicolaci di Villadorata are just few examples.

A visit to Noto is definitely an experience of beauty and splendor not to be missed.