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Photo: Mboesch, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
At a glance
- Type
- Archaeological site
- Coordinates
- 36°56′19″ N, 15°01′21″ E
History and description
Netum or Neetum (Greek: Νέητον), was a considerable ancient town in the south of Sicily, near the sources of the little river Asinarus (modern Falconara), and about 34 km southwest of Syracuse. Its current site is at the località of Noto Antica (formerly Noto Vecchio), in the modern comune of Noto.
History
Inhabited by the Sicels, it was subject to Syracuse; in a 263 BCE treaty between the Roman Republic and King Hieron II of Syracuse, Netum was one of the cities left in subjection to that monarch. We have no account of the circumstances which subsequently earned for the Netini the peculiarly privileged position in which we afterwards find them: but in the days of Cicero Netum enjoyed the rights of a foederata civitas like Messana (modern Messina) and Tauromenium (modern Taormina); while, in Pliny's time, it still retained the rank of a Latin town (civitas Latinae conditionis), a favor then enjoyed by only three cities in the island. Ptolemy is the last ancient writer that mentions the name; but there is no doubt that it continued to exist throughout the Middle Ages; and under the Norman kings rose to be a place of great importance, and the capital of the southern province of Sicily, to which it gave the name of Val di Noto. But having suffered repeatedly from earthquakes, the inhabitants were induced to emigrate to a site nearer the sea, where they founded the modern city of Noto, in 1703.
Current situation and archaeology
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.
Text from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0. Full article: «Netum».
Photos
Getting there
NotoTrain, nearest
7.8 km as the crow flies
Netum
Aeroporto di Comiso Pio La Torre37.4 km
Distances are as the crow flies, not walking or driving.
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Nearby
See on the mapMore archaeological sites in Sicily
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Frequently asked questions
Where is Netum?
Netum is in Noto, in the province of Siracusa (Sicily), Italy. GPS coordinates: 36.93855, 15.02248.
What else is there to see near Netum?
Nearby you’ll find: Sito archeologico di Monte Finocchito (3.8 km away), Palazzo Nicolaci di Villadorata (Noto) (6.7 km away), Palazzo Ducezio (6.8 km away).
Sources and licences
Text. Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Data. Wikidata (CC0); opening hours and contacts OpenStreetMap (ODbL).
Photos. Wikimedia Commons, author and licence on every image.
Credits for the 9 photos
- Noto-antica-stadttor — Mboesch, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Acquedotto greco (Noto antica) — Davide Mauro, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Panorama da Noto Antica — Codas2, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Pineta di Noto antica 1 — Carmelovunque, CC0
- Pineta Madonna della Scala Noto Antica — Stella, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Ambiente abitativo — Codas2, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Festival Alveria1 — Davide Mauro, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Grotta artificiale — Codas2, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Monte Alveria Pineta — Stella, CC BY-SA 4.0
Updated 28 October 2026. All sources and licences