Noto
Discovering Noto, the Baroque Capital
Hello friends! Today I will talk to you about Noto, a beautiful town located in Sicily. Noto, also known as Notu or Nuòtu in Sicilian, is a town with a population of 24,017 inhabitants located in the southwest part of the province of Syracuse.
A Baroque gem
If you are art lovers, Noto is the town for you! It is known as the "Baroque Capital" thanks to its masterpieces of architecture in the historic center. In fact, in 2002 the historic center of Noto was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site along with the other Late Baroque Towns of Val di Noto.
Physical geography
Do you want to know more about the geography of Noto? Let me tell you! First of all, know that the town covers an area of 554.99 square kilometers, making it the largest town in Sicily and the fourth largest in the country.
The territory of Noto is mostly hilly, with the mountains north of the town belonging to the Iblei Mountains plateau. The coast of Noto, located between Avola and Pachino, gives its name to the Gulf of Noto and is mostly sandy.
Noto borders other towns such as Pachino, Avola, Syracuse, Palazzolo Acreide, Canicattini Bagni, Modica, Rosolini, and Ispica. Furthermore, within the territory of Noto, there is the small administrative island of Contrada Cipolla, between Rosolini and Ispica.
Agriculture, Pastures, and Nature
Noto is a town rich in greenery, with abundant Mediterranean flora and olive and almond groves in the hilly area. In the "Piana di San Paolo" there are vast citrus groves and vineyards, while in the mountains there are pastures and traces of Mediterranean vegetation.
Hydrography
The territory of Noto is crossed by several important rivers, such as the Tellaro, Asinaro, and Cassibile. The Tellaro River, also called Atiḍḍaru in Sicilian, has its source in the territory of Ragusa and flows into the beach called Tellaro. Asinaro, on the other hand, originates a few kilometers north of Noto Antica and flows near the old and new town. Finally, the Cassibile, which rises near Bauli, is embedded in the canyon of the Cavagrande del Cassibile Oriented Nature Reserve.
Here, friends, ends our small journey of discovery of the town of Noto in Sicily. I can't wait to visit this beautiful city, full of history and culture, and immerse myself in its incredible Baroque atmosphere. Thank you for reading and see you on the next adventure!
