Piazza Mazzini Noto

Combining relics and works of art of inestimable value

If you visit Noto, the treasure chest of the highest examples of Baroque, both in Sicily and throughout Italy, you must absolutely dedicate some time to Piazza Mazzini, located in the centre of the city. This area, developed in the area known as the Piano Alto di Noto, houses two buildings of particular importance: the church of the Holy Crucifix and Palazzo Cosentini.

The church, located on the entrance to the square, is second in size only to the Cathedral of San Nicolò and houses a wide variety of works of art: built in the 18th century, its main chapel, finely decorated with stuccoes and frescoes, houses a case with a thorn from the crown of Christ and several works of absolute importance, such as the Madonna della Neve [Madonna of the Snow] by Francesco Laurana.

If you are hungry, Piazza Mazzini will offer you a wide choice of restaurants with typical local cuisine: you can enjoy Sicilian pizza made with anchovies and tuma cheese, or patacò soup, made with chickling vetch flour, or delight yourself with an infinite number of local desserts, from classic ricotta cassata to the most locally specific cubbaita, a dessert made with almonds and honey, or giuggolena, a variation with sesame.