Noto & Surroundings

City of Noto

Completely destroyed by the terrible 1693 earthquake, it was rebuilt from scratch on a new site, about 10km from the old centre. Under the supervision of the Duke of Camastra, the Spanish Viceroy’s right-hand man, three architects, Labisi, Sinatra and Gagliardi, set to work, intent on creating a new town based firmly on Baroque ideals. The plan was to create a linear, perfectly proportioned urban centre whose parallel lines would provide myriad panoramas. The town was divided into three parts by three roads running from east to west, thus ensuring the constant attention of the sun. At the top lived the nobility, in the middle the clergy, and at the bottom, hoi polloi.

The principal building material used was local compacted limestone, a substance that seemingly absorbs the sun’s aureate rays and transforms them into a soft golden-honeyed glow. The effect at sunset is quite something.

The main thoroughfare is Corso Vittorio Emanuele along which many of Noto’s most representative buildings stand. It begins at the Porta Reale and extends west via three piazzas, each with its own church. The public gardens are situated along this road (or at least looking on to it) as is the Monastero del Santissimo Salvatore with its graceful tower, the inspired Palazzo Ducrezio, the cathedral, the Church of San Francesco, the Jesuit Church and College, and Palazzo Nicolaci di Villadorata.

Part of a UNESCO Heritage Site (along with the neighboring towns of Ragusa, Modica and Scicli), Noto is not to be missed, even if Baroque architecture is not your cup of tea. More than just a baroque town, it is a subliminal expression of originality, fantasy, obsession, and man’s resilience in the face of the overwhelming force of nature

Beaches

Vendicari offers some of the most beautiful beaches of the Ionian Coast: an unspoilt and crystalline sea, awarded with 4 blue sails of Legambiente! If you love sunbathing or looking for hidden sea corners, Vendicari offers you more than 7 km of coastline between fine sand and rocky coves. You only need to choose!

The splendid coast has a pure heritage of great beaches and small coves. San Lorenzo beach is located just outside the boundary of the reserve of Vendicari, with the same environmental characteristics of the reserve and natural continuation of the beach of Vendicari. The coastline is well equipped with facilities and services that ensure days of complete relax. Check: www.aguaresort.it/agua-beach

Ragusa, Modica, Scicli and Marzamemi

Ragusa, Modica and Scicli are an amazing triptych of purely Sicilian cities that take place in a late Baroque full of wonder. They are a riot of alleys, views, viewpoints, palaces and squares that exude Sicilianity in profusion. Many of their monuments are, moreover, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, just a few kilometres away from each other. Marzamemi is also a must visit.