Tuesday, March 26 - Noto, a UNESCO World Heritage Site

In 1693 a devastating earthquake affected much of the southeast corner of Sicily.  Most cities were damaged or completely destroyed.  As a result, the major cities of Noto, Ragusa, Modica were totally rebuilt during the Baroque period and in the Baroque style. 

We visited Noto, declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2002 because of the Baroque architecture.

 

Entrance Gate to Noto

 



Duomo

The Bishop's chair

 

Town Hall

 

The baroque balconies at Palazzo Nicolaci, also called Villa d'Orata, are very famous. 

 

These corbels were symbols of the earth and sea, from which the Nicolaci Family derived their wealth


Interior courtyard of Palazzo Nicolaci.

 

Prior to creation of the staircase, horse drawn carriages would ascend to the 2nd floor which represented the "public" receiving areas.

Grand staircase - Tony with our Italian tour guide

 

Ballroom

 

Dining Room

 

Billiards Room

 

Seat built into the wall

 

Other interesting sights as we toured Noto

 

 

The Nicolaci Family has an interesting background.  Originally they were tuna fishermen from the seacoast town of Marzamemi, which was the center of tuna fishing.  Today, there are substantially fewer tuna and most fishermen must go close to the coast of Africa for any sizeable catch.  But, in the 1600s the Nicolaci's controlled the tuna industry and became wealthy.  As a result, they were able to buy feudal lands and noble titles and arrange marriages with noble families.  

The following pictures identify their original home and tuna factory in Marzamemi.  Today, however, the town is a quiet seaside resort with museums reflecting its' past glories.

 

 

 

The most recent Prince Nicolaci

 

 

Marzamemi harbor

 

 

Huge agricultural area

 

Lemons going to market

 

Marzamemi shoreline

 

Scenery on drive north to Siracusa