The Baroque Builders of Noto: From Palaces to Prisons

The Baroque architects of Noto created some extraordinary buildings after the city, like much of south eastern Sicily, was destroyed in a massive earthquake in 1692.

While the original city, known today as Noto Antica, lies  invisible and buried under rubble ten kilometres away, the new one was constructed in the fashionable Baroque style of the day by some of the leading architects and craftsmen of the time. They included  Rosario Gagliardi and Vincenzo Sinatra who paid great attention to decorative detail in curved facades and balconies.

The Noto Cathedral  built in 1776, lost its cupola in 1996 but it has since been replaced.

The Palazzo Ducezio opposite built by Sinatra is decorated with an impressive series of arches and columns.

Noto retains its grand character today. Even an impressive former baroque palace functions as a prison for 160 inmates.