Noto has ancient origins, but as it appears today it is the result of the reconstruction after the devastating earthquake of 1693 which completely destroyed it.
It was thus rebuilt on a larger and safer place, with a linear layout, parallel and wide streets, using the clear and compact limestone local stone, to which time has given a wonderful gold color with shades tending towards pink.
The brightest artists of the time from all over Sicily were called to design it as the setting for a film, studying the perspectives to make it perfect.
The main roads are three and run from east to west, the goal is that the sun always illuminates them.
The entrance to the historic center is announced by the Porta Reale, an impacting triumphal arch from the 1800s, built for the visit of King Ferdinand II of Bourbon known as the king of the two Sicilies.
The main axis of the city Corso Vittorio Emanuele will open in front of you.
Going a few meters, you will arrive in the first of the three squares, Piazza Immacolata. Here at the top of an imposing staircase you will find the church of San Francesco all'Immacolata, characterized by a beautiful and simple baroque facade. Inside you will find a reminder of the "well-known ancient", on the altar the virgin with the child painted on wood (work attributed to Monachello 1564). To the left of the church of San Francesco you will see the elegant monastery of S.s. Salvatore with the beautiful tower and the belvedere. On the opposite side, the former cloistered convent of Santa Chiara.
Continuing along Corso Vittorio Emanuele you will arrive at Piazza Municipio, where you can admire the Cathedral and Palazzo Ducezio. Going a few meters further you will suddenly slow down: your attention will be captured by a Via Nicolaci, a sloping road bordered by beautiful Baroque palaces, characterized by very imaginative balconies, adorned with sirens, cherubs, horses and even lions and characters from mythology . Among the palaces, the one most certainly noteworthy is Palazzo Nicolaci, open to the public and absolutely worth visiting.
Returning to the Corso, and continuing for a few more meters, you will come across piazza XVI MAGGIO. Here you can admire Villa D’Ercole of eighteenth-century origin, the Church of San Domenico, and finally completing the tour on yourselves the Vittorio Emanuele Theater, dating back to the latter in the 1800s.
If the period you have chosen to visit this delightful town is between July and September and you don't feel like going around it with the typical temperatures of those months, don't worry: at sunset it will look even more beautiful! As soon as the lights start to come on .... The curtain opens and off to the show!
Historic buildings and churches are open until late in the evening, so you will have plenty of time to visit them.