Noto, town and episcopal see, southeastern Sicily, Italy. It lies on the southern slopes of the Hyblaei Hills southwest of Syracuse. Founded in 1703, the town is known for its 18th-century cathedral and the Palazzo Ducezio, notable among Baroque churches and palaces. The streets of Noto are interspersed with beautiful squares and imposing stairways connecting terraces, small houses, and aristocratic palaces. At the entrance to the old town center is the Porta Reale (Royal Gate) leading to the nerve center of the city, where the baroque flaunts its creative capriciousness. The best way to appreciate the Noto’s old town is to “get lost” in its streets, encountering churches and palaces overlooking stairs, alleys, or large squares. In this way, discover the most evocative Baroque corners of this open-air architectural museum.
Noto
