Today we visited the Sicilian town of Noto. Noto is located south of Syracuse and despite its small size (24,000 inhabitants) is well worth a visit. In 2002, the town and its church were added to the UNESCO World Heritage List, and it's not hard to see why.
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ShareAncient Noto, Sicily, which was a short distance from where the city is today, was completely destroyed in an earthquake in 1693. The 'new' city, which was rebuilt shortly afterwards, is impressive with all the mighty buildings in the Sicilian Baroque style.
Noto - a historic city
Ancient Noto was known as 'Netum'. In 866 the city was conquered by Arabs and in 1091 it was the last stronghold of the Muslims before they too were conquered by Christians.
In the 16th century, the city expanded with many buildings and churches, but unfortunately these were destroyed during a major civil war. earthquake 1693. After the earthquake, the city was moved and, with the help of famous architects, a Sicilian Baroque masterpiece was built. And this is what you can see today!
Wow what cities there are here in Sicily! Cities like Noto, Syracuse and Taormina is not to be missed when visiting Sicily. Every street corner is filled with history and beautiful architecture.
Aperitivo in Noto
After a walk around Noto, we felt it was time to refuel. We sat down on an outdoor terrace and ordered an "aperitivo", i.e. an affordable afternoon drink with snacks. We each had a beer and a large plate of different snacks. The price? 5 euros per person. Quite ok, isn't it?
Noto Parking for motorhomes
Incidentally, we are in a nice car park just outside of town called Noto Parking. It's not walking distance to town from here - but the staff will take you there and back by car at no extra cost! Whilst we have had difficulty making ourselves understood in English, the staff (who speak German) have not let this stop them from trying to help us.
Here, too, there are only a few motorhomes despite many pitches. Maybe the high season for motorhomes is in the winter (when the pensioners hibernate)? And even here, free WiFi is included at no extra cost. Plus points for the pitches in Sicily!
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Steel city anna says:
Amazingly beautiful! Love the balcony.
05 August 2015 - 23:03
BP says:
Noto - sounds like "nota" as well. Love it:-) Reminiscent of Valetta in Malta actually (second and third picture). Nice that you timed a wedding too. Remember that we managed to do it a number of times in Tel Aviv:)
Oh that big beer with all the Italian "tapas" I just say MUMS to:-)
05 August 2015 - 23:13
admin says:
Steen city Anna, each balcony has different figures. Very beautiful and special!
BP, can perhaps agree that it reminds of Valetta in some places, although the sea is closer in Valetta. Like this idea mef that you order drinks + snacks for a cheap money!
05 August 2015 - 23:45
Rantamor on the retina says:
You keep finding your gems, so beautiful.
And nice pitches with a generous staff and free WiFi, that's not bad.
But aren't you beginning to long for home???
We spent 22 days travelling to beautiful Northern Norway with Kottebobil, but then we became homesick,
We are probably amateurs, perhaps.
Keep on travelling, it's so nice to follow you.
Tjingelingen from Rantamor and Rantafar.
06 August 2015 - 2:35
Inga M says:
Fantastic details in the buildings! And so much effort has been put into the balconies!
06 August 2015 - 5:40
Kjell says:
But so cool. How nice! Have been to Sicily a lot of years ago. Now I just want to go back when I see your pictures ðŸ™'
06 August 2015 - 7:01
admin says:
Rantamor, we feel at home in the motorhome! So no, we are not longing for home 😉 Lovely trip you made in Northern Norway, I have followed! 🙂
No M, the balconies were amazing, and everyone was different!
Kjell, nice that you have also been here! The cities are beautiful and interesting and we have been very well received at the campsites! Less good in Sicily: all the rubbish and the bad roads...
06 August 2015 - 8:09
Ama de casa says:
What a service with a free ride into town! It's perfect 🙂
Looks nice - but hilly in places. It tends to be hard enough even when it's NOT so hot 🙂.
06 August 2015 - 10:16
admin says:
Ama de casa, it's enough to make you sweat with your feet and slow walking... 😉.
06 August 2015 - 10:44
Mr Steve says:
A beer with snacks in those neighbourhoods looks tempting. More plus points in Sicily too. Fun!
06 August 2015 - 11:16
JoY says:
You find good places and it seems like you got something good to eat too, even if it's just snacks hihi.
You asked what kind of Italian food we liked. Because we have been more in the north and we like their home cooking. I was not a lover of minestrone soup until I had one last year in the Dolomites, where my old mum cooked it, yum. Chicken with lemon, Osso Buco that is veal, Salsiccia you have already eaten, Saltimbocca thin slices of veal with sage, Jakob likes Gnocchi which I am not so fond of, Polenta we like to eat with the meal instead of chips. It may be that this is food that is mostly served in the northern parts of Italy. The south certainly has its dishes. We look for the small restaurants that are not on the tourist streets. When we drive on the roads, we stop at a large gravel field where trucks are parked and there is a small restaurant next to it, where there is usually good food. Maybe not the most cosy places but the food and the people are good and nice.
Hugs Yvonné
06 August 2015 - 12:04
admin says:
Steve, yes now Sicily gets a few more plus points! 🙂
Yvonne, oh thank you for your reply! Sounds like great dishes! It may well be that we have ended up in somewhat touristy places (we always eat in the car if it is nearby, only in a restaurant when we are on an excursion far from the car...). Then there is probably a difference between south and north as well. The site owner's son (last place) told us that Calabria is the birthplace of pizza and pasta and that they are very proud of their pizza and pasta there. But nice to hear! If we see some of the dishes you talked about when we eat out, we'll probably have to try them! 🙂
06 August 2015 - 12:35
Anna, New York - My Bite of the Big Apple says:
How beautiful and cosy it looks! I was in Sicily in the early nineties (in August) and remember it as very hot and very nice!
06 August 2015 - 15:30
Matts Torebring says:
I like these nice posts, without an overload of pictures, (so you get tired), I like Peter's menu and the cityscape. You are really cosy. Have a good time
06 August 2015 - 19:25
Rantamor on the retina says:
But come on....we can't wait to get home between our travels....
06 August 2015 - 21:40
admin says:
Anna, New York, it's very hot! Some places are very nice, other places are not so nice...
Matts, thank you, it's nice to get feedback on what you do. It helps you to continue in the right direction!
Rantamor, 🙂
07 August 2015 - 16:07