Ancient Ruins of Noto

It has been quite some time since we went exploring on the island.  After a morning spent around the house, we loaded up and made our way to the ancient ruins of Noto.  The town was abandoned and a "new" Noto city was built several miles away.  The "new" town certainly charming as we passed through, but the first order of business were the ruins.  A real city with functioning shops, churches, and restaurants is the usual route, but ancient ruins are much cooler!  As it seems Sicily likes to do, there were maybe 2 signs pointing the way.  Most of the time, we weren't sure we were going the right way, but thanks to my husband/ driver/ navigationalist/ extroidenair, we made it!  We walked (I use the term loosly because it was more like a crawl on 2 feet-- Brady loves rocks and likes to investigate every rock on the trail because it's probably the perfect one to go in his pocket) down the path and found ourselves at the castle ruins.

 

 

It is so much fun to climb the stairs and stand in the place others did Centuries ago.  Brady wanted to go inside the castle, but it was blocked off, so he decided we should rebuild it.  He pointed to a rock and told us to grab rocks so we could put them back in place.  I love the mind of a 5 year old!  Endless possibilities and logic.  I want to go inside the castle.  The castle doesn't have walls.  Let's rebuild it!  Then, I can go inside.

 

 

Homes, a hospital, chapel, and other buildings built to support every day life were broken down and overgrown, only allowing peeks into the past.  It added a sense of charm having to look past what was directly in front of us to find the jewel  hidden behind. 

 

 

                                       Early Christian catacombs

 

As evening began to creep upon us, we followed the winding road back down to the "new" Noto.  One of the restaurants our guidebook suggested did not disappoint, we filled our bellies with goodness!  There were two geleterie the book suggested were in rivalry to which had the best gelato.  We all had gelato, but Greg had a gelato cone from each place! 

It is times like this we recognize how blessed we are.  We are blessed to spend time as a family, exploring ruins and walking towns eating "the best" gelato while gazing on magnificent old churches... on just another Saturday night.