During your stay in one of our beautiful properties in Sicilia, you can discover the wonderful Baroque of Ragusa and surroundings.
RAGUSA
Ragusa boasts a beautiful old town centre listed as a UNESCO World Heritage property, thanks to the abundance of baroque buildings.
The Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, is the main place of worship in the town, its baroque facade is embellished with many sculptures and columns. The bell tower is over 50 meters high and the interior has three naves divided by two series of columns.
The Cathedral of St. John the Baptist Ragusa
Ragusa Ibla is the old town centre of Ragusa, which includes many buildings in baroque style. This part of the town is characteristic because it was once a town in its own and is different from the rest of the town.
The Bertini Palace dates back to the eighteenth century. Its main feature are the three gargoyles on the windows, these characters are typical symbols of the Baroque style and represent a beggar, a noble and a merchant.
The Donnafugata Castle dates back to the nineteenth century. Actually it is a palace but its structure resembles that of a castle because it has towers, columns and embattled cornices. Outside the castle we can walk around its beautiful gardens full of plants and flower beds, and there’s also a stone labyrinth built to entertain the guests of the castle.
SCICLI
Scicli is a small village in Ragusa district, also listed as a UNESCO World Heritage property for its old town centre in baroque style.
Among the most important buildings there’s the Church of St. Matthew. This church was built by the Normans on a hill near the town, successive renovations have transformed the facade in baroque style.
Church of St. Matthew photo marcello mento
Mormino Penna Street includes a series of Baroque buildings, among the most important there are Spadaro Palace and the Church of San Giovanni Evangelista. Some buildings built in later periods have the baroque style because they tried to conform to the predominant style of the center, and in particular of this road.
The Palazzo Beneventano dates back to the eighteenth century, here we find the characteristic masks placed on the windows, typical of the baroque period, such as wrought iron balustrades. The coat of arms of the family, consisting of two dark heads is still visible on the facade and is considered one of the landmarks of the town.
MODICA
The old town center of Modica, is included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage properties. Modica is also called the town of 100 churches.
Cathedral of St. George Modica
The Cathedral of St. George, is one of the best representations of Sicilian Baroque style and is the main place of worship in the town. It is notable for its dimensions, a facade about 60 meters high which includes the spectacular dome. The stairway consists of 160 steps. The interior contains many works of art, among the most important we find the Altarpiece by Bernardino Nigro, behind the main altar.
Next to the Cathedral of St. George there is the Polara Palace, built in the eighteenth century in late Baroque style. It is accessed by a staircase, the façade of the building is simple and is distinguished by the coat of arms of the family represented by a polar star.
CHIARAMONTE GULFI
Chiaramonte Gulfi is called the Town of Oil and the Balcony of Sicily, for its panoramic position. Here we can visit very beautiful buildings such as the Basilica of Santa Maria La Nova and the Sanctuary of the Virgin of Gulfi.
