Noto is a charming town with around twenty thousand inhabitants and is one of the most beautiful enclosed Baroque towns in Sicily. However, many of Noto’s historic buildings were neglected for many years and are thus in somewhat less than perfect condition.

The Catedrale Di San Nicolò also fell into disrepair as a result of continued neglect and this caused both the dome and part of the roof to collapse in 1996 since when much has been done to repair the church.

An indication of the wealth of Noto’s former upper classes still exists today and the Palazzo Nicolaci Villadorata is one of the town’s most prominent buildings.

In spite of its wondersul architecture today Noto leaves a rather sleepy and almost unreal impression on its visitors. Yet perhaps it is the romantic atmosphere caused by its slow decay that makes this Baroque Sicilian jewel so intriguing.