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The old site, which is now known as Noto Antica (formerly Noto Vecchio), is on the summit of a lofty hill about 14 km from the modern town and 20 km from the sea-coast: some remains of the ancient amphitheatre, and of a building called a gymnasium, are still visible, and a Greek inscription, which belongs to the time of Hieron II. [3]
The old town, Noto Antica, lies 8 kilometres (5 mi) directly north on Mount Alveria. A city of Sicel origin, it was known as Netum in ancient times. In 263 BCE the city was granted to Hiero II by the Romans. According to legend, Daedalus stayed in the city after his flight over the Ionian Sea, as did Hercules after his seventh task.
Mount Alveria was the original site of the city of Noto. Noto was relocated to a more level site 10 kilometres away after the earthquake of 1693. The ruins of the old city of Noto, known today as Noto Antica, still remain on a ridge on the mountainside. [1] [2]
Inside, the Hall of Mirrors is noteworthy. This is an oval-shaped hall furnished with Louis XV-style furniture and large mirrors carved by Avoli artist Sebastiano Dugo. Adorning the ceiling of the hall is The Foundation of Neas, a neoclassical fresco by painter Antonio Mazza depicting the foundation of Noto by Sicilian leader Ducetius.
Val di Noto (lit. ' Province of Noto ' ) [ a ] is a historical and geographical area encompassing the south-eastern third of Sicily ; it is dominated by the limestone Hyblaean plateau . Historically, it was one of the three valli of Sicily .
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The building features a Baroque style.The façade is characterized by a large portal flanked by two grand Ionic columns and topped by a balcony. On each side of the portal there are three smaller balconies, supported by large corbels, each sculpted differently with the appearances of lions, children, centaurs, winged horses, chimeras, and sirens.
Noto Cathedral (Italian: Cattedrale di Noto; La Chiesa Madre di San Nicolò) is a Roman Catholic cathedral in Noto in Sicily, Italy. Its construction, in the style of the Sicilian Baroque , began in the early 18th century and was completed in 1776.