Noto
Noto, absolute jewel of Sicilian Baroque, dominates the Asinaro valley from the top of a plateau. The earthquake of 1693 led to the destruction of almost all the buildings in the area, but also gave a great boost to the reconstruction.
The city was rebuilt 10 km away from the original position where it stood before the earthquake. In fact, the modern city was rebuilt in a less impervious place which allowed for the creation of architecture in line with the new Baroque taste. The palaces were rebuilt with local limestone by Sicilian artists.
The three main social classes settled in the three main streets: the nobility moved to the first street, the clergy to the central one, the people in the last street. All around the historic center, the popular districts Agliastrello, Mannarazze, Macchina Ghiaccio and Carmine have developed, characterized by the narrow, winding and often labyrinthine alleys that distinguish the medieval villages.
The city was rebuilt 10 km away from the original position where it stood before the earthquake. In fact, the modern city was rebuilt in a less impervious place which allowed for the creation of architecture in line with the new Baroque taste. The palaces were rebuilt with local limestone by Sicilian artists.
The three main social classes settled in the three main streets: the nobility moved to the first street, the clergy to the central one, the people in the last street. All around the historic center, the popular districts Agliastrello, Mannarazze, Macchina Ghiaccio and Carmine have developed, characterized by the narrow, winding and often labyrinthine alleys that distinguish the medieval villages.
