Noto Antica

Codas2 · CC BY-SA 3.0

Noto, SR

Noto Antica is the medieval city of Noto, abandoned after the earthquake of 1693 that destroyed much of the Val di Noto. The inhabitants moved lower down, where the Baroque Noto, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was born.

On Monte Alveria remain walls, gates, remains of the castle and churches partly carved into the rock. The silence and solitude make the place evocative, especially at the end of the day.

It is an unusual stop for anyone visiting Noto who wants to understand what was there before: few people, no services and a landscape of stone and meadows.

• Open-air area, generally accessible all year; no official opening hours found
• 1-2 hours
• Free entry
• Spring and autumn
• Unpaved, uneven ground going uphill; little shade.
• Bring water and suitable shoes. Visit in the morning or at the end of the day, avoiding the heat.