Church of San Domenico in Noto

La Church of San Domenico in Noto it was built on a project by the architect Rosario Gagliardi, one of the most appreciated technicians of the Neto baroque. The rich and imposing structure contains several valuable works from the 700th century and also amazes the visitor with its unusual convex façade.

The history of Noto and the Church of San Domenico

Noto, a city made rich and flourishing by the Greeks, Romans and Arabs, distinguished itself in the fields of art, literature and science in the 400th century, but in 1693 it was razed to the ground by an earthquake. After the tragic event Giuseppe Lanza, vicar general for reconstruction, decided to abandon the site and build the city eight kilometers further down the valley. The Sicilian noble commissioned some well-known architects to create civil and religious buildings for the rebirth of Noto. Between 1703 and 1727 the architect Rosario Gagliardi, one of the most innovative designers of his time, worked on the Church of San Domenico, a convent church for the Dominican fathers who also had their own structure in old Noto.

The architecture and works present in the Church of San Domenico in Noto

The Church, rich and elaborate, is surrounded by the gardens of the Villa Ercole and can be reached via a stone staircase which creates an evocative scenic effect.
The façade is convex and therefore has an interesting play of light and shadow and the façade has two superimposed orders of columns, the first Doric and the second Ionic, interspersed with niches. Inside, the Greek cross plan with three naves has five domes decorated with stucco and altars made of polychrome marble enriched by valuable paintings such as the XNUMXth century canvas of San Domenico receiving the Holy Spirit, San Corrado by Antonio Mazza and two works by Vito D'Anna the Madonna del Rosario and San Vincenzo Ferreri. On the main altar inside a gilded wooden tabernacle by Antonio Basile there is the statue of the Madonna del Rosario, while the third altar of the left nave is enriched by a crucifix and four marble stations of the Via Crucis.

What to do in Noto and the surrounding areas

The Church of San Domenico in Noto and the village in Baroque I have been since 2002 declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO therefore a visit to the building is unmissable.
The Church stands in Piazza XVI Maggio annexed to the ancient convent and is not far from Corso Vittorio Emanuele, the main artery of the city around which there are historic buildings.

After the Royal Entrance Gate, dedicated to Ferdinand II of Bourbon, there is the Church of San Francesco d'Assisi all'Immacolata, by Rosario Gagliardi and Antonio Sinatra which is followed after a few steps by the Monastery with the annex Church of SS. Savior which for centuries hosted nuns from the most noble families of Sicily.

Also along the course is the Church of Santa Chiara with the canvas the Madonna and Child, attributed to Antonello Gagini. It stands out in front Palace Ducetius, today the seat of the town hall, which houses in the "Hall of Mirrors" Louis XV style furniture. Among the most famous historic buildings there are also Landolina Palace of Sant'Alfano where King Ferdinand II of Bourbon and Queen Maria Teresa of Austria also stayed, Nicolaci Palace of Villadorata known for its anthropomorphic and zoomorphic balconies and Palazzo Di Lorenzo del Castelluccio with rooms decorated with frescoes.

It is 10km from the village Tellaro village, a Roman residence from the XNUMXth century AD embellished with mosaics depicting episodes from the Iliad and a hunting scene with wild animals. A few kilometers south theOasis of Vendicari it is a privileged observation place to spot cranes and storks and to spend a day in the marvelous beaches of the Reserve.

Recommended activities for a tour of the Saline di Trapani

How to get to the Church of San Domenico in Noto

By car:, from Siracusa take Viale Orsi in the direction of Viale Ermocrate on the SS124 and continue until the exit for Avola. On the SS115 follow the road towards Via La Rosa in Noto where there are signs for the Church of San Domenico in Piazza XVI Maggio.
From Messina take the A20 from viale Boccetta and after 171km continue on the E45. Take the exit towards Avola and follow the SS115 towards Piazza XVI Maggio.
From Palermo, take the E90 from via Roma and continue towards Catania on the A19. After 50km, exit at Resuttano and continue towards Avola. At the Avola exit, take the SS115 and continue to your destination.

© Image by poudou99, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons