VISITING RAGUSA: BAROQUE, TRANQUILLITY AND WONDER
A dual heart, between the upper town and a suspended enchantment
Ragusa is one of the most charming towns in the Val di Noto. It is a place with two distinct personalities: the more modern Upper Ragusa, and the ancient, poetic Ragusa Ibla. Separated by a deep natural gorge, yet linked by stairways, vistas and intertwined histories, these two souls coexist in perfect harmony. A succession of churches, palaces, secret gardens and quiet stone-paved alleys, where every view is picture-postcard perfect and every step takes you back to a slow-paced, authentic Sicily.
RAGUSA
RAGUSA IBLA, THE BAROQUE HEART
Amidst gardens, staircases and terraces
Ibla is the oldest part of the city, rebuilt after the 1693 earthquake in the Sicilian Baroque style. Here, amidst stone staircases and elegant curves, lies one of the island’s best-preserved historic centres. The Cathedral of St George dominates a harmonious square, whilst all around wind narrow streets, flower-filled balconies, hidden courtyards and small shops. Every corner is an invitation to wonder, silence and contemplation.
It is no coincidence that Ragusa Ibla has often been chosen as a natural setting for films and TV series, including the famous "Commissario Montalbano".
A stroll through Ibla is a leisurely and intimate experience. The Giardino Ibleo, with its views over the valleys and its shaded benches, is perfect for a break. The stairways linking the lower town to Ragusa Superiore offer extraordinary views of the city. From above, the stone looks like gold, the city a nativity scene. In the evening, with the warm lights illuminating the Baroque façades, Ragusa becomes pure poetry.
RAGUSA, A MUST-SEE STOP IN THE VAL DI NOTO
A village that stays in your heart
Ragusa is an ideal destination for a day trip from Casa Vendicari. It is close by, easily accessible, yet profoundly different from other Baroque towns: more intimate, quieter, more secluded. It is a place to explore at a leisurely pace, to be savoured rather than simply visited. A little world of its own, which gently captures the beauty of south-eastern Sicily.
Ragusa, Syracuse and Noto are among the most fascinating examples of Baroque architecture in the Val di Noto. A perfect itinerary for exploring the historic part of the region. The Plemmirio Nature Reserve and Marzamemi round off the trip for nature lovers. Casa Vendicari is the ideal starting point for discovering a Sicily rich in history, culture and nature.
