The Greek Heerons, Noto

From the Carmine church, a journey back in time to ancient Noto awaits, with relics dating to the Greek era, known as the "heroa." To access these historical treasures, follow a winding path that begins near the Carmine church and descends toward the valley. Although the descent is somewhat steep, it poses no significant challenges.

Historical records confirm that Noto had a vibrant period during Greek and Roman times. Some scholars even believe that Noto could be the ancient city of Ducezio, the rebellious Sicilian aristocrat from the 5th century BC. As you make your way down the path, you'll encounter two large caves with smooth, rectangular walls. In the early 20th century, archaeologist Paolo Orsi identified these as "heroa,".

The heroa, dating back to the 3rd century BC, serve as monuments devoted to the worship of heroes. Within these caves, you'll find numerous rectangular niches adorning the walls. These niches held votive plaques made of terracotta, wood, or stone, which were placed there to commemorate the departed.

While exploring the caves with a lamp, you may still spot faint engraved decorations, remnants of colored frescoes, and inscribed writings. The presence of a sarcophagus suggests that these rooms were repurposed in later centuries, adding layers of history to these ancient chambers.