In the 16th and 17th centuries , the city was home to several notable intellectual figures , including Giovanni Aurispa , jurists Andrea Barbazio and Antonio Corsetto , as well as architect Matteo Carnelivari and composer Mario Capuana . In 1503 king Ferdinand III granted it the title of '' civitas ingeniosa '' ( " Ingenious City " ) . In the following centuries , the city expanded , growing beyond its medieval limits , and new buildings , churches and convents were built . These , however , were all totally destroyed by the 1693 Sicilian earthquake
1693 Sicilian earthquake
1693 Sicily earthquake
Noto