Ragusano

<< Sicily

The Province of Ragusa, or Ragusano, is located in southeastern Sicily, along the coast of the Tyrrhenian Sea. This territory is mostly occupied by hills and mountains, and hosts various historic towns and a few seaside resorts.

Ragusa

Ragusa is a city located among the mountains of southeastern Sicily, divided into a upper older town called Ibla, and a lower newer town called Ragusa Superiore. Ragusa was founded in prehistoric times, and remained an important center and a fortified position throughout its history. When the city was destroyed by an earthquake in 1693, most of the population moved to the new town of Ragusa Superiore. The old and new towns were merged in 1927, and Ragusa became a provincial capital. The city is now known for its Baroque architecture, and for this reason its old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Duomo of San Giorgio

The Duomo of San Giorgio is the main church of Ragusa, located at the center of Ibla. The current church was built in Baroque style during the 18th century, and became the symbol of the city. The church features an elaborate facade and a Neoclassical dome. Inside, the church houses several artworks and it is adorned with many decorations.

Giardino Ibleo

The Giardino Ibleo is a historic garden located at the eastern edge of Ragusa Ibla. The park was built in the 19th century, and it is adorned with various decorations. The garden also houses various churches and the ruins of another medieval church known as Portal of San Giorgio (Portale di San Giorgio).

Church of San Giuseppe

The Church of San Giuseppe is a historic church in Ragusa Ibla. The church was built in Baroque style over the ruins of a previous church in the 18th century. The building has an elaborate facade and houses various artworks.

Church of Santissime Anime del Purgatorio

The Church of Santissime Anime del Purgatorio is a church located at the western end of Ragusa Ibla. The church was built in the 17th century, and survived the 1693 earthquake. Despite this, the church was still rebuilt in Baroque style in the 18th century, and features numerous artworks and decorations.

Ragusa Cathedral

The Ragusa Cathedral is the main church of Ragusa Superiore, erected in Baroque style during the 18th century. The church features a monumental facade with various decorations and a large bell tower. The interior is adorned with artworks and decorations mostly added in the 19th and 20th century.

Ibleo Archaeological Museum

The Ibleo Archaeological Museum (Museo Archeologico Ibleo) is an archaeological museum in Ragusa Superiore. Its collection includes numerous archaeological findings from the region around Ragusa, and some exhibitions of local ancient history.

Donnafugata Castle

The Donnafugata Castle is a large rural palace located in the countryside west of Ragusa. Originally built in the 14th century, the palace was reworked several times, and in the 19th century it was restored in Gothic Revival style. The building features some decorated halls and it is surrounded by a park that includes a maze.

Archaeological Area and Regional Museum of Kamarina

The Archaeological Area and Regional Museum of Kamarina (Area Archeologica e Museo Regionale di Kamarina) is an archaeolgical site located on the coast west of Ragusa. The site houses the ruins of an ancient Greek colony founded in the 6th century BCE and destroted by the Arabs in 827. The park includes the ruins of several structures of the ancient city, while the museum houses numerous archaeological findings unearthed here and in the surrounding area.

Modica

Modica is a city located just southeast of Ragusa. Founded in prehistoric times, the town developed under the Romans, and in the Late Middle Ages it flourished as the capital of a county that ruled over southeastern Sicily. The city was damaged by an earthquake in 1693, and was then rebuilt in Baroque style. Because of its Baroque architecture, the old town of Modica is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Modica Castle

The Modica Castle is an ancient castle located on top of a hill in Modica. The structure was erected in various phases during the Middle Ages, and was for centuries the residence of the local lords. The castle was then used as a prison, but now it has been restored and can be visited.

Duomo of San Pietro

The Duomo of San Pietro is a historic church in the center of Modica. The church was erected in the 14th century, but was heavily damaged by an earthquake in 1693, and was then rebuilt in Baroque style. The facade of the church features various decorations, while some statues are located just outside. Inside, the church houses numerous artworks and decorations.

Duomo of San Giorgio

The Duomo of San Giorgio is the main church of Modica, and a masterpiece of Sicilian Baroque architecture. Originally built in the Middle Ages, the current structure was built in the 18th century, and features an elaborate facade adorned with various decorations. The church is also lavishly decorated inside, and houses various artworks.

Archaeological Park of Cava d’Ispica

The Archaeological Park of Cava d’Ispica (Parco Archeologico di Cava d’Ispica) is an archaeological site located between Modica and Ispica, in a valley known as Cava d’Ispica. The park houses the ruins of some prehistoric settlements, as well as Greek, Roman, and medieval structures, and large catacombs.

Scicli

Scicli is a town located in the Province of Ragusa, south of Modica. Founded in ancient times, the modern town developed in the Middle Ages. After being damaged by an earthquake in 1693, it was rebuilt with several Baroque structures. The old town of Scicli is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Church of San Giovanni Evangelista

The Church of San Giovanni Evangelista is a Baroque church in the center of Scicli, built in the 18th century. The church features an elaborate facade, and the interiors are richly adorned with artworks and decorations. Adjacent to the church is the town hall of Scicli, famous for being one of the sets of the Italian TV series Inspector Montalbano.

Church of San Matteo

The Church of San Matteo is a historic church located on top of a hill in Scicli. Originally erected in the Middle Ages, the current church was built in Baroque style in the 18th century. However, the facade has remained unfinished, and the interiors are mostly bare.

Church of San Bartolomeo

The Church of San Bartolomeo is one of the main churches of Scicli. The structure was erected in the 15th century and was later reworked with Baroque and Neoclassical additions. The facade of the church is adorned with some statues, while the interiors house various artworks and decorations.

Santa Croce Camerina

Santa Croce Camerina is a town located near the Tyrrhenian coast in the Province of Ragusa. The area has been inhabited since ancient times, and was colonized by the Greeks. The town is now known for its ancient ruins and seaside resorts.

Archaeological Park of Kaukana

The Archaeological Park of Kaukana (Parco Archeologico di Kaukana) is an archaeological site located on the coast of the seaside resort of Kaukana, just south of Santa Croce Camerina. The park houses the ruins of an ancient settlement founded in the 3rd century BCE, and destroyed by the Arabs in the 9th century. The site includes the ruins of several ancient buildings.

Comiso

Comiso is a town located just west of Ragusa. Inhabited since ancient times, the town developed in the Middle Ages, and lived its golden age during the Renaissance. Comiso now houses a few historic attractions.

Church of Santa Maria delle Stelle

The Church of Santa Maria delle Stelle is the main church of Comiso. Originally erected in the Late Middle Ages, it was damaged by an earthquake in 1693 and was rebuilt in Baroque style. The church features a monumental facade adorned with various decorations, while the interior houses several artworks.

Civic Museum of Natural History of Comiso

The Civic Museum of Natural History of Comiso (Museo Civico di Storia Naturale di Comiso) is a science musuem in Comiso. The museum is focused on natural history, and includes a large collection of tens of thousands of fossils, as well as exhibitions of paleontology and zoology.