Noto is one of the Italian city of Syracuse Municipal Consortium. It is the fourth Italian city by territorial extension. The city, called "Capital of the Baroque", is the episcopal see and was declared a World Heritage Site in 2002, along with other towns of Noto Valley.
History
The original city, ancient Noto, It stood on the upstream Alveria. According to the testimony of the finds, in that place they settled the first human settlements dating back to the Early Bronze Age.
In 214 a.C. the city, then defined as Neaton, welcomed the army of the consul Marcus Claudius Marcellus, winning: the title of allied city of the Romans and its own Senate. After the occupation of Sicily by the Byzantine Emperor Justinian, Noto was enriched with monuments.
In 864 the Arabs occupied the city and attributed particular importance so as to become in Capovalle 903. It was launched the silk industry thanks to the exploitation of mulberry trees on the territory.
In 1091 It was occupied by Roger de Hauteville and donated to his son Jordan, who began the construction of Christian churches and the castle.
In 1299, the warden Ugolino Callari rebelled against Frederick III of Aragon handing over the city to Robert of Anjou, son of Charles II.
Once the Aragonese back, Noto was given the title of "ingenious city" for multiple characters who established themselves in the art, in literature and in science.
On 11 January 1693, the city was destroyed by an earthquake in Val di Noto. Following the earthquake, the Duke of Camastra Joseph Lanza was in charge of the reconstruction of the Val di Noto, He decided to rebuild the downstream cities.
In 1800, Noto lost the role of Capovalle but 1837 It became a provincial capital and 1844 the center of a diocese.
In 1861 the city became part of the Kingdom of Italy and 1865 He lost the title of provincial capital, entrusted to Syracuse.
In recent years Noto recorded an economic recovery through tourism, main resource of the city.
Pearl of the Baroque
The city has a magnificent urban structure, with old buildings in cream color and full Baroque style
Noto is popular among experts and scholars of architecture and art as one of the most important urban hubs of Europe for the Baroque design that characterizes the urban center
The town is considered the best example of Baroque art in Sicily, then, in Europe.
Established after the earthquake 1693, It owns: beautiful architecture of buildings, sumptuous squares, breathtaking views and impressive churches in which symmetry and grace are the main elements.
The city, kind during an era of Baroque, It is full of the best eighteenth-century architectural standards.
The streets follow a grid pattern and country segments appear in the middle of the urban surface and the hills rise steps and squares that create special perspective games.
Noto was divided into two, the high area was the home of ordinary people while the lower area was the residence of the noble.
