Noto Antica and Noto Full Day Tour

The town of Noto is renowned for its exceptional Baroque heritage that inspired the Tuscan art critic Cesare Brandi to name it a "Stone Garden". Noto, listed as UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2002, is also the hub of a wide area, which is rich in important archaeological, architectural, and landscape data, extending from the Hyblaean plateau to the Ionian coast. After the tragic 1693 earthquake, Noto was rebuilt on the Meti Hill during the 18th century. Therefore, this reconstruction represents only a phase in the long and complex history of the town, whose origins are to be found in the Early Bronze Age. This tour will be interesting for geology, architecture, and archaeology lovers, as you will have the chance to understand how nature deeply impacts on the monumental history of a site. Thanks to my in-depth knowledge for this area, I will do my best to bring Noto's immense archaeological and architectural heritage to life for you.

- Morning hike among the ruins of Noto Antica, inhabited since the 18th century BC. From the protohistoric Sikel tombs to the remains of Greek monuments, from the Christian and Jewish catacombs to the medieval castle, and the monuments of the 16th and the 17th centuries, you will travel through time. - In the afternoon, we will head to Noto, and start a stroll from the main street of the lower city: Corso Vittorio Emanuele. Here we will stop to admire the enchanting facades of the main churches, convents, and palaces. - After going into the Church of Santa Chiara and the Cathedral, we'll begin to ascend to the upper part of Noto along Via Corrado Nicolaci, where we will admire the 18th century sculpted balconies of the Nicolaci di Villadorata Palace. - The tour will continue in upper Noto, the area of the city mainly inhabited by the middle class, which also became the seat of other stunning monuments like the Church of Crocifisso and the Impellizzeri Palace. The itinerary can be customized upon request.