Sightseeing in Ragusa - what to see. Complete travel guide

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”.
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.

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.

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.
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City tours, excursions and tickets in Ragusa and surroundings
Reference information
Survived castles around Ragusa
♥ Castle 'Castello di Donnafugata' Ragusa, 15.2 km from the center. On the map
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♥ Castle 'Castello di Euryalos' Syracuse, 47.7 km from the center. On the map
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♥ Castle 'Castello Maniace' Syracuse, 52.5 km from the center. On the map
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♥ Castle 'Castello Ursino' Catania, 71.1 km from the center. On the map
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♥ Castle 'Castello Normanno' Terlizzi, 72.5 km from the center. On the map
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♥ Castle 'Castello di Donnafugata' Ragusa, 15.2 km from the center. On the map


♥ Castle 'Castello di Euryalos' Syracuse, 47.7 km from the center. On the map


♥ Castle 'Castello Maniace' Syracuse, 52.5 km from the center. On the map


♥ Castle 'Castello Ursino' Catania, 71.1 km from the center. On the map


♥ Castle 'Castello Normanno' Terlizzi, 72.5 km from the center. On the map


National and city parks around Ragusa
♥ National Park 'Parco nazionale dell’Aspromonte' , 169.2 km from the center. On the map
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♥ National Park 'Parco nazionale dell’Aspromonte' , 169.2 km from the center. On the map


Sights around Ragusa from our guide 'Extreme places on Earth'
Palazzo Beneventano del Bosco
From the series “The Most Elegant Buildings of Baroque Architecture”
Check on the map:
Distance from Ragusa center - 52.4 km.
Inside the palace is also decorated in Baroque. There you can see wonderful sculptures of Palermitano Lombardic Gregorio, and frescoes by Ermenegido Martorana. There were saved the huge crystal chandeliers made from Murano glass and other unique pieces of art. Nowadays the palace is in a private property and is closed for regular excursions. If you want to see the inner decoration of the palace, you have to clear beforehand the excursion with the owners. …
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It will welcome its first guests in 2024. 313 rooms of various categories will be available, the interior of rooms and hotel spaces will become one of the main features of the high-class hotel. When decorating the rooms, it is planned to use local textiles, which are famous for their high quality and are considered to be one of the best in the world.

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Search touristic sites on the map of Ragusa

