KNOWN
Defined the 'Garden of Stone', Noto is recognized as the capital of Sicilian Baroque. After the terrible earthquake of 1693, the ruins of the ancient city were replaced by churches, monasteries and palaces on the sides of a long artery, the Corso, marked by three spectacular squares. The first, Piazza dell'Immacolata, is overlooked by the Church of San Francesco and the terminal part of the very long Monastery of the Most Holy Savior. Just beyond the Church of Santa Chiara, there is Piazza del Municipio, where profane buildings, Palazzo Ducezio and Palazzo Landolina alternate with sacred buildings (the Mother Church and Palazzo Vescovile). The third is Piazza XVI Maggio, with the Villetta Ercole, a small garden that takes its name from a statue of the hero, and the Church of San Domenico, with an unusual convex facade.
On the third Sunday of May, Noto is colored with a thousand shades with the famous “Infiorata”, a large themed floral arrangement that covers the whole of Via Nicolaci, in the center of the town. The gastronomic symbol of Noto is the almond; the almond cream, diluted with cold water, becomes the thirst-quenching and sought-after almond milk.