Noto bene

This hillside town was called Neas, founded by the Sicans.
Conquered by the Syracuseans, it absorbed Hellenic customs and rites, before falling to the Romans when it became a federated city. Later its status was elevated to Latin municipium, which brought many priviledges including the right to govern itself with its own laws.
Next the Arabs took over a renamed it Noto, (which it remains to this day,) and managed to cling on until 1090.
In 1693, it was destroyed by the earthquake that struck the whole of south-western Sicily and rebuilt in the baroque style as we see today. (At least, we see the parts that are open at lunchtime when I passed through.)
+ The main entrance to the city is through the Arco di Trionfo. At the top you can see the sculpture of a dog, symbolising loyalty and a pelican for sacrifice. Like the rest of the town it is built using a golden yellow limestone. The stone is unique apparently for its flexibility but maybe they meant versatility (my Italian is not that good!)
+ The corso Vittorio Emanuele is the main axis through the town.
+ The Cathedral, which stands on top of a monumental staircase, was begun a few months after the earthquake but was only completed in 1770. It took more than 10 years, using both modern engineering techniques together with those of the 1700’s to craft original materials into yet another UNESCO world heritage site.
+ Every side road leads to yet another church.
+ Through the gates of the Vittorio Emanuele III theatre, across piazza XVI Maggio is the Church of San DomenicoRead more