Sightseeing in Ragusa - what to see. Complete travel guide

The Italian city of Ragusa is situated to the south of the Hyblaean Mountains. This is an incredibly attractive place that lures tourists from all over the world. Mother Nature has been generous to this region, giving this part of Sicily beautiful and scenic landscapes. The rich history of Ragusa is still noticeable in the numerous architectural landmarks. The city is much different from other settlements in Italy. Besides the official name, the city has other titles such as “the land of bridges” or “the island of the island”. Each of these informal names precisely describes Ragusa. Would you like to visit a true Baroque world? This city has the biggest number of buildings in this architectural style.

Scientists think that the first people appeared on the site of modern Ragusa at the end of the third millennia BC. These were the Sicans, who had to leave the land in the 18th century BC because of the attack of the Sicel ruler Hyblon. The king founded a new town here and called it Hybla Heraea. The settlement was dedicated to the goddess Hera. The new settlement almost immediately attracted Greek leaders who wanted to capture this territory. After a large battle with Phalaris, the tyrant of Akragas, Hybla Heraea became famous in the ancient world. The town even got a new title – “the town of the brave”.

The Arabs conquered the Italian land in the 9th century. A large rebellion emerged in the town in the 90s of the 11th century. Citizens managed to expel the invaders from their homeland. A devastating earthquake, which happened in 1693, was one of the darkest pages in the history of the Sicilian city. More than half of Ragusa’s population was killed, and the buildings in the city center turned into ruins. Local authorities had to restore the damaged buildings. This is how Ragusa got its Baroque look. During World War II, this Italian region was partially damaged by bombings, but the city was quickly restored afterward. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

How about visiting a fairytale castle? Approximately twenty kilometers from the central part of Ragusa lies the Donnafugata Castle surrounded by gorgeous nature. The estate occupies an area of roughly two thousand and five hundred square meters. Initially, a small tower appeared on this site move than seven centuries ago. Later, it was decided to transform the tower into a castle. The estate changed many owners over the centuries, and each new owner tried to add something to the design and architectural style of the building. This is how a modest building turned into a large and luxurious castle with the walls of the sand color that reflect hot sun rays, providing its dwellers with the much-needed coolness.

Over the centuries, the Donnafugata Castle overgrew with legends and interesting love stories that took place in the building. Surprisingly, each of these stories had a happy ending even though not every story ended with a wedding. Baron Corrado Arezzo was one of the palace’s owners. He couldn’t imagine his life without entertainment. The castle still has elements built by the baron’s order, such as a stone labyrinth, a skillfully made arbor in the cozy garden, and butterflies of different colors that decorate the mirror in the central hall. All of the castle’s one hundred and forty-four rooms are open to visitors. These rooms still have the original décor, antique furniture, and coats of arms of different kings.

The Duomo of San Giorgio, sometimes simply called Duomo di Ragusa, is the main religious landmark in the city. The shrine is named in honor of Giovanni Battista or John the Baptist. The church was built in the first half of the eighteenth century. Initially, the Duomo of San Giorgio was built in the western part of the city but it was decided to move the church to the heart of the new part of Ragusa after the earthquake. There was a small church instead of the gorgeous building that we can see today. The first stone in the foundation was laid in April 1694. It took only five months to build the church because the shrine was not big initially. The consecration took place in August of the same year. The first mass brought together leaders of the different communes in the region.

In 1738, the city’s authorities decided that the former church was too small for their city. It was decided to build a beautiful and big cathedral instead of the small church so that more people could attend it. In 1775, the cathedral was finally ready, and so both guests and citizens of Ragusa could admire a gorgeous Baroque cathedral that was dominating the skyline and attracting people with its gracious lines and detailed decorations. The décor of the Duomo of San Giorgio was changed several times during the construction period and got many different elements. Nowadays, the eye-catching cathedral is the main church of the Diocese of Ragusa.

The most comfortable way to reach the Italian “Baroque city” is a journey through Catania. This city has an airport with frequent flights to numerous European countries. The total journey time is roughly three hours when flying from other parts of Europe. Upon arrival in Catania, tourists can easily find a bus to Ragusa. The distance between the cities is approximately one hundred kilometers, so it takes roughly one hour and forty-five minutes to reach the final destination.