Experience the Infiorata Festival in Noto, Sicily

It is well worth a visit to the small Baroque town of Noto if you are staying in one of the many beautiful villas in Sicily in the area during the month of May. On the third weekend of every May, the scenic town holds a unique festival known as the Infiorata. Beginning on the Friday, artists take over the streets of Noto to create amazing sidewalk art out of flower petals in various mosaic and stainglass images and patterns that visitors can admire throughout the weekend.

Famous Baroque Architecture

Since 2002, Noto, famed for its Baroque architecture, has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Along with the spectacular Infiorata Festival in May, the town also has numerous sites of interest open all year round. While staying in one of the beautiful villas in Sicily, a visit to Noto is well worth a visit. The city is easily accessible via car, bus or train.

The historic town centre of Noto suffered dramatically during a major earthquake back in 1693. Today, all that remains is a maze of crumbling palaces, churches and villas. In Sicily, in general, the damage from the earthquake was extensive, but in Noto the original beautiful Baroque features are still visible but, unfortunately, barely intact.

Old Gives Way to New

Given that the old town was nearly completely destroyed during the earthquake, a new town was constructed several miles away. Today the winding narrow streets of the new town are equally beautiful, and lined on either side with golden-coloured stone facades and buildings with balconies that still retain the impressive Baroque style.

The primary sights of interest in Noto include the impressive cathedral, the Duomo. Built in 1693, it faces the lovely Palazzo Ducezio in the town centre. The Chiesa di San Carlo, just off the town’s main thoroughfare called the Corso Vittorio Emanuele, is a tall bell tower, which affords visitors who climb its narrow spiral staircase magnificent views of the city and its surrounding landscape.

Festival of Flowers

The colourful Infiorata Festival, the city’s largest tourist attraction, is an occasion where local and foreign artists work together to fill the streets with a kaleidoscope of flower petal mosaics, made from the petals of flowers grown specifically for the event. Over the course of a weekend, visitors can admire the meticulous artistry and skill in a carnival like atmosphere. However, come Monday morning, tradition dictates that the town’s children are allowed to run through and destroy all the artwork, in what is said to be a display of destruction followed by renewal.

There are many wonderful villas in Sicily from which to choose, and each location has its merits. However, choosing Noto as a base offers a delightfully authentic Sicilian experience that is far away from the hustle and bustle of the larger cities on the island. Although Noto is a beautiful place to visit at any time of the year, the month of May, with the town’s spectacular Infiorata Festival, would certainly be worth considering for a fun and unique experience.

Helen Forbes is from Essential Italy, a company specialising in Italian holiday villas, apartments and hotels. If you’re looking for the perfect villas in Sicily we can help. Our handpicked accommodation offers distinctive Italian qualities, great comfort and convenience.

Writer and Online Marketing Manager in London.