The city of Noto, tour with Le Siciliane

Today my Sicilian girls and I are in Noto, the so-called Stone Garden. Yes, its beauty is such that it seems like a town sculpted and cultivated in its extraordinary uniqueness.

Noto, square with Palazzo Ducezio

Noto, located in the province of Syracuse, is a city that represents one of the greatest examples of Baroque architecture in Europe. Known for its splendid buildings and churches, Noto has a rich and vibrant history that deserves to be told.

Villa Corrado Confalonieri

Porta Reale: The Triumphal Entrance to the City

We walk through it in full regality as required by its eighteenth-century triumphal arch that welcomes us and which, from the public garden dedicated to the Patron Saint, Corrado Confalonieri, introduces us to the stylish main street.

Noto, Arch of Porta Reale

The majestic triumphal arch erected in 1838 on the occasion of the visit of Ferdinand II of Bourbon. This imposing structure, made of squared limestone blocks, marks the monumental entrance to the historic center. It is adorned with symbolic sculptures such as the crenellated tower of royal military power, the greyhound symbol of loyalty and the pelican, symbol of abnegation to the king.

Corso Vittorio Emanuele: The Pulsating Axis of the Baroque Netino

Once past the Porta Reale, you enter directly into Corso Vittorio Emanuele, the main artery of the city, an elegant succession of noble palaces and monumental churches that define its baroque identity. Walking along this street is a beautiful experience, between the beauty of the sculpted facades, the scent of the flowers that adorn the balconies and the lively voices of the people.

We walk along it wearing our t-shirt with a “Sicilian” print, which in its sunny colours blends in with the most representative motifs of the city.

Church of San Francesco all’Immacolata

It stands imposingly on the left side of the street, with its spectacular double-flight staircase that leads to the churchyard. The façade, characterized by an elegant concavity and a lateral bell tower, is a wonderful example of the Noto Baroque, with its volutes, cherubs and statues that animate the stone.

Thus, wandering through its alleys, we enter between buildings with a large courtyard space, evidence of an ancient and fervent local aristocracy.

Palazzo Ducezio

A little further on, you come across Palazzo Ducezio, now the seat of the Town Hall. Its long convex façade, punctuated by columns and elegantly decorated windows, culminates in a central balcony supported by corbels sculpted with allegorical figures. The round arches make it a unique style: Baroque that marries Neoclassicism.

Ducezio Palace in Noto

We recommend walking along the splendid Via Nicolaci, where we can admire the palace of the same name, one of the most representative architectures of the Baroque Fiorito.

Nicolaci Palace in Noto

Cathedral of St. Nicholas

Dominating the square is the Cathedral of San Nicolò, whose imposing façade, rebuilt after the partial collapse of 1996, is a masterpiece of Sicilian Baroque. Its monumental staircase, Corinthian columns, statues of saints and majestic dome make it an essential focal point.

Cathedral of St. Nicholas

Here a folkloric event of extraordinary impact takes place: “l’Infiorata”. Every year, on the third Sunday of May, the road is covered with mosaics made of flowers that represent pre-established motifs, such as images related to the pictorial arts, literary images, posters of old Sicilian films or those set in Sicily, picturesque landscapes… Giant postcards of flowers, along a panoramic road of surprising effect. Unfortunately I cannot describe to you the scent of the flowers that emanates from the decorated road, but I assure you that it is not to be missed!

Noto, Infiorata

Think about the idea of taking a trip to Noto at the end of May, perhaps with a Sicilian accessory, to wander around in perfect style in a city that represents a style par excellence: Noto, entirely a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its Baroque architecture among the best preserved in the world!

In this tour, Valentina wears the T-shirt Queen with Lemons