The Royal Gate (Noto)

The Cathedral of Noto, dedicated to St. Nicholas, is one of the best examples of Baroque architecture in the city. With its grandeur it dominates Corso Vittorio Emanuele in a position diametrically opposed to Palazzo Ducezio, seat of the town hall.

Palazzo Nicolaci di Villadorata is one of the largest private residences in Nota. Built in the 18th century in Baroque style, it was the town residence of the noble Nicolaci family.

Palazzo Ducezio is a historic 18th century palace and the seat of Noto’s Town Hall. Its location in the building along Corso Vittorio Emanuele is not accidental.

Palazzo Di Lorenzo Castelluccio is one of the most beautiful noble residences you can visit in Noto. The palace was designed in 1782 by the architect Vincenzo Sinatra for Corrado Di Lorenzo, Marquis of Castelluccio.

The Church of Santa Chiara in Noto is one of the most beautiful examples of baroque art in the city. By paying a separate entrance fee, it is possible to access the terrace of the church, from where there is a fantastic view of the Cathedral of Noto and the entire skyline.

The Gallery of Contemporary Art Elvira Emilia Pirrone Resso is a museum located in the former convent of the Church of Santa Chiara in Noto.

The Basilica del Santissimo Salvatore (Most Holy Redeemer) is a splendid example of the transition between late Baroque and Neoclassicism in Noto.

The Church of San Francesco of Noto is the first great surprise that greets the visitor who enters through the Royal Gate. Situated at the top of a majestic three-stage ramp, it is certainly one of the most picturesque religious buildings in the whole of Noto.

The Church of San Domenico in Noto is located in the third large space that opens along Corso Vittorio Emanuele. It is considered by many to be the most representative monument of the late Baroque in Noto.

The Teatro “Tina di Lorenzo” is the main theater of the city of Noto. It was built between 1855 and 1870 at the insistence of the people who wanted more cultural and musical events

Palazzo Landolina di Sant’Alfano was the summer residence of one of the richest and most powerful families in the city.

The Loggia del Mercato di Noto is the former site of the city’s food market.  Inside 12 rooms, covered by a wrought-iron portico, were set up the stores of butchers and fishmongers. The loggia is located on Via Rocco Pirri, is enclosed by a gate and opens on three sides between ancient noble palaces including Palazzo Nicolaci.

The Church of San Carlo al Corso in Noto, with its curvilinear façade, characterizes the scenery of Corso Vittorio Emanuele. Also known as the Church of the College, it is one of the monuments included in the UNESCO Itinerary of the Late Baroque Towns of the Val di Noto.

The Civic Archaeological Museum of Noto (Mucian) is housed in the old convent of the Santissimo Salvatore. Its ten rooms contain hundreds of artifacts from prehistoric times to the Middle Ages.

The Church of the Santissimo Crocifisso (Most Holy Crucifix) in Noto is one of the richest religious buildings in the city. Second in size only to the Cathedral, it dominates the so-called Piano Alto, the upper part of Noto.

The Church of the Annunziata in Noto is located in Via Trigona, in the upper part of the city and just opposite the Church of Sant’Agata.

The church of Sant’Agata di Noto, designed by the architect Rosario Gagliardi, is the oldest of the churches rebuilt in the city after the earthquake of 1693.

The former convent of San Tomaso di Noto is an imposing building located in the upper part of the city, also known as Piano Alto. Today, together with two other buildings built later, it is the seat of the Noto prison.

About 5 km from Noto it is possible to visit the Hermitage of San Corrado Fuori le Mura. The place where it is located is the so-called “Valley of the Pizzoni”, where Corrado Confalonieri settled between 1322 and 1351.

The Church of Ecce Homo in Noto is also known as the Church of the Pantheon because it contains the bodies of twenty soldiers who died during the First World War.

Palazzo Rau della Ferla, a splendid seventeenth-century aristocratic residence, is one of the monuments that are part of the UNESCO serial site Late Baroque Towns of the Val di Noto.

The Church of Santa Maria dell’Arco di Noto is located at the intersection of Via Ducezio and Via Speciale Viceroy. It was the first mother church of the city, built after the destruction of the earthquake of 1693.

Palazzo Impellizzeri di San Giacomo is one of the seven noble palaces that can be visited in Noto. It is located in a panoramic position at the top of the hill and houses the State Archives of Noto.

Palazzo Trigona di Cannicarao is one of the three noble residences that can be admired along Corso Cavour in Noto. Together with Palazzo Di Lorenzo Castelluccio and Palazzo Astuto, it contributes to the beauty of the second most important street in the city.

Palazzo Astuto di Fargione is one of the old noble palaces of Noto that can be visited in via Cavour. Probably designed by the architect Vincenzo Sinatra, it once housed a rich and prestigious museum.

The Church of Montevergine in Noto, with its typical concave dome, is certainly one of the symbols of the city. Together with via Nicolaci, it forms a truly splendid setting that becomes the protagonist every year during the Infiorata di Noto.

The Church of San Michele Arcangelo in Noto is the last religious building along Corso Vittorio Emanuele, the main street of the city. Its construction dates back to the end of the 18th century and is characterized by a simple but elegant elevation.

The Fountain of Hercules is a work created in 1757 by the sculptor Giuseppe Orlando. At the top there is a statue of the Greek hero from Noto Antica.

The church of Santa Maria del Gesù in Noto was built in memory of the church of the same name in Noto Antica, which was destroyed by the earthquake of 1693.

Calamosche Beach, or Funni Musca as the locals call it, is the most famous of the five beaches of the Vendicari Reserve. Its position, squeezed between two rocky promontories, makes it a small oasis with a calm and crystal clear sea.

The beach of Cittadella dei Maccari is one of the five beaches of the Vendicari Reserve. It takes its name from the nearby archaeological remains of a Byzantine settlement. It is the southernmost beach and marks the border of the reserve.

The beach of Vendicari is one of the five beaches of the natural reserve of the same name. The ruins of the Tonnara di Vendicari, combined with the crystal clear sea and golden sand, make this place in Sicily a must-see destination.

Eloro Beach is one of the five beaches of the Vendicari Reserve. The very fine sand, the presence of some freshwater marshes and the Mediterranean scrub make this corner of Sicily one of the most beautiful.

Marianelli Beach, or Spiaggia “do Iancu” as the locals call it, is one of the five beaches of the Vendicari Reserve. The fine golden sand and the crystal clear sea make it an absolute must.