A Day in Noto
I spent my first afternoon in Ortigia orienting myself to the city and my little apartment on Via Resalibera. Just up the street are the remains of the ancient Doric Temple of Apollo, dating from 575 B.C. There are but two columns standing, but they’re very dramatic when lit at night.
I’ll write more about Siracusa and Ortigia later, but in the meantime there’s traveling to do! I rented a car for five days and developed an ambitious itinerary. For my first foray I ventured to Noto, a bustling city chock-a-block with Baroque architecture created after the 1693 earthquake destroyed the town: a spectacular cathedral, numerous churches and basilicas and public buildings, all constructed of tufa stone (a type of limestone), which tans to a golden glow in the sun.
The poignant monument is dedicated to soldiers of the Great War.
Noto is famous for its gelato, so of course I had to try some at Caffé Sicilia. Silky smooth and delicious, the almond (mandorla) was the perfect mid-afternoon pick-me-up.
Further south lies the Reserva Naturale Oasi Faunistica di Vendicari, a stretch of wild coastline that is home to countless varieties of local and migratory birds, including egrets, storks, stilts, spoonbill cranes and flamingoes.
Looks fabulous. Just hearing that you are staying close to remnants of life from 575 B.C. is simply hard to wrap my mind around! Love your photos.
I missed visiting Noto last year when I was in Sicily. Looks amazing 🙂