The finest baroque town in Sicily according to the visitors.  The locals call it ‘a garden in stone’.  Built after the earthquake of 1693 by Prince Landolina along classical lines. the city became a personal vision of one family.  The city is built on two levels, the lower level being the more grandiose, the public buildings and swathes of steps line the Corso.  On the upper level smaller buildings compete for space without detracting from the whole.

Nowadays Noto is visited by many tourists, especially at the time of the infiorita, or flower festival, when (as in Umbria and other cities) the streets are covered with elaborate designs made of flowers.