21/07/2015
Today we will talk about Syracuse and Noto Valley Sicily, with its beautiful baroque cities, heritage of 'humanity UNESCO.
Noto Valley Sicily: Discovering Syracuse
Whereas with the flight will land at Catania Fontanarossa and that the hotel where you'll stay located in Syracuse, calculates to lose a few hours of the first day for practices and for travel. With the rental car, which you can withdraw directly to your arrival at the airport, you can reach the center of Siracusa in 50 minutes by motorway A 18.
If you are good and you can arrive at the hotel before the midday heat we recommend you do not waste time and immediately visit the Archaeological Park, located just 100 meters away. The ticket office of the park is open every day from 9 to 18, is located on the corner of Via Cavallari and Viale Augusto.
Not far from the ticket office there is also a bar with pizzeria, to fill a little 'stomach before starting the visit. The site boasts the most beautiful ruins of the classical era of Syracuse.
It was here in Neapolis, one of the five districts in which was divided the ancient city, which stood the civil and religious buildings of greater importance. The most famous was and still is the great Greek Theatre, dating from the fifth century BC One of the best preserved Greek theaters ever, the largest of Sicily and, every year in the months of May and June, the scene of a series of classical plays.
Syracuse and Noto Valley Sicily - Greek Theatre - Syracuse
Not far from the theater stands the monolith of 'Altar of Hieron, the second century. a. C., a large sacrificial altar of which today remain only the foundations. Later, along the Avenue of Heaven, are instead the famous Latomie, including Latomia of Heaven, an ancient and immense limestone quarry dotted with olive and orange trees and rich in caves and grottoes. Among the latter the best known are the legendary cave called by Caravaggio Ear of Dionysius and the evocative Rope Makers Cave.
In the park there is also a Roman amphitheater dating from the second century. A.D. Although it is in poor condition, what's left will give you an idea of its size however, is in fact the third largest after the Coliseum and the Arena of Verona. At about 700 meters from 'hotel is the Museo Archeologico Regionale Paolo Orsi, open Tuesday to Saturday from 9 to 18 and Sundays from 9 to 13. Its rich archaeological collection, consisting of more than 18,000 artifacts, making it one of the most interesting museums in the region. The ticket is cumulative with that of the Park of Neapolis.
After the visit to the Museum and Archaeological Park, you have two options to reach Ortigia, the next stop: Take the 2 km and a half separating the two places of interest by car (the best place to park is the parking Thales, in Via Vittorio Veneto) or use public transportation (bus number 12).
Ortigia, the historic center of Syracuse, is an island connected to the mainland by two bridges. In this area, easily explored on foot and characterized by an intricate network of narrow streets, focus the main monuments and places of tourist interest in the city, as well as numerous cafes, taverns and restaurants. Beautiful and elegant squares, among which Piazza Duomo, a masterpiece of Baroque urban planning and certainly one of the most spectacular places in all of Sicily.
Cathedral Square is the central square of Syracuse, meeting place and outdoor seating area onto which, in addition to the cathedral, magnificent baroque palaces richly decorated: the Municipal Palace, the Archbishop's Palace, Palazzo Beneventano del Bosco and the Church of Santa Lucia to the Abbey, dedicated to Saint Lucia, the patron saint of the city.
The rest of the afternoon you can enjoy walking through the streets of the island before relaxing with a drink before dining in one of the many and excellent restaurants in this part of the city.
The Baroque Cities UNESCO
The second day is undoubtedly to be dedicated to the visit of Noto, Modica and Ragusa, rich in Baroque treasures, but also culinary delights. The route starts from Syracuse by car through the A18. After about half an hour and less than 40 km, you get to Noto, the first stop on the tour.
This town is home to one of the most beautiful in Sicily, Corso Vittorio Emanuele, a pedestrian promenade overlooked by magnificent palaces and baroque churches. You will find these buildings particularly striking in the morning, when the light brings out the yellow-red. The avenue runs, heading west from Port Royal and public gardens.
About half of the street is Piazza Municipio, flanked by buildings most important and interesting of Noto. On the north side, on top of a monumental staircase, it stands the Cathedral of St. Nicholas, baroque and neoclassical. Next to the cathedral, on the left, Palazzo Landolina, of the XVIII century., And across the street, Palazzo Ducezio, now the town hall.
Syracuse and Noto Valley Sicily - Nicolaci Palace- Noto
The only building that you can visit inside is Nicolaci Palace, on the same street, famous for the rich decorations of its wrought-iron balconies, supported by six artistic corbels depicting mermaids, griffins, cherubs, centaurs, sphinxes and other figures mythological.
Via Nicolaci is also the protagonist of 'Flower Festival, the largest festival of Noto which takes place every year on the third Sunday of May. On the occasion of this event gives the city its "Salute to Spring" papering the entire street of large paintings made with flower petals. Before leaving Noto give yourself a little break and enjoy a bit 'of pistachio ice cream to Dolceria Costanzo (Via Silvio Spaventa, 7-9) or a delicious iced coffee, almonds or wild strawberries at Caffè Sicilia (Corso Vittorio Emanuele, 125).
Known as the route continues towards Modica, in Noto Valley Sicily. It is about 38 km of highway (SS115) that will lead you in one of the most fascinating parts of southern Sicily, known not only for its baroque treasures, but also for its fine chocolate. Modica is divided into two parts: Upper Modica and Lower Modica. With the car you arrive in Modica Bassa.
Here we'll want to park and walk along Corso Umberto I, the main street of the old town. The main monuments of Modica Bassa are: the Cathedral of St. Peter, in Corso Umberto, the Cathedral of the Carmine, in Piazza Matteotti and the Piccolo Teatro Garibaldi, always in Corso Umberto I. But it is at the top who are the most prestigious Baroque buildings, including the Church of San Giorgio (Corso San Giorgio), extraordinary masterpiece of Rosario Gagliardi, and the Church of San Giovanni Evangelista (near Piazza San Giovanni), a 'Another magnificent Baroque church with staircase. To reach them you will have to sweat a bit '.
Do you expect it to face a steep climb on foot. To repay the effort and recuperate there is nothing better than to sample the famous chocolate of Modica. One of the best places to sample it is the Ancient Dolceria Bonajuto (Corso Umberto I, 159). Here it produces chocolate since 1880 and now as then, it is all done by hand according to traditional recipes.
At Dolceria Bonajuto well with chocolate in various flavors, you can also to delight you with other specialties including mpanatigghi, cannoli, the nucatoli, nougat white and more.
Syracuse and Noto Valley - Cathedral of San Giorgio - Ragusa
It 's time to return the car. After a brief but tortuous journey along the State Road 194 and the SS115 will come to Dubrovnik, the last leg of our journey. The city is divided in two. The part that interests the visitor is Ragusa, the old town, with its intricate alleys, gray stone houses and Baroque palaces of Noto Valley Sicily.
Via Risorgimento follow the signs for Ragusa and park your car in one of the car parks on the edge of the city. From the parking lot below the Republic Square takes about 10 minutes on foot to reach the central Piazza Duomo. Here you can see the pride of Ragusa, the Duomo di San Giorgio, great work of Gagliardi, situated on top of a staircase and features a sumptuous façade supported by Corinthian columns. The square is a nice place to stop and rest or have a snack.
Try the ice cream Ice Wine, which in addition to traditional flavors also offers unusual specialties like ice cream Brachetto d'Acqui, Moscato d'Asti or Passito di Pantelleria.
Walking down Corso XXV Aprile you get to Piazza Pola where the Church of St. Joseph, another work by Rosario Gagliardi. Following the road, you will reach the Garden Ibleo, a lovely garden which is home to the ruins of three medieval churches: the Church of San Vincenzo Ferrari, the St. James Church and the Church of St. Agatha.
At this point you can decide whether to return to Syracuse (one and a half hours by road and motorway) or head over to Chiaramonte Gulfi, a town located on a hill, 20 km north of Dubrovnik. Chiaramonte Gulfi is a good place to dine. This places it has a good gastronomic reputation and is widely known for its olive oil DOP and for its delicious ham.
Take a look at our rooms and book your holiday in Noto (Sicily)
Photo credits:
1) Siracusa: Lars Kjølhede Christensen
2) Baroque Tetris: Alvaro
