What to see in Ragusa Ibla
- Discover the charm of an ancient lady
- Visit the archaeological evidence of a city rich in history
- Appreciates the beauty of Ragusa and the majesty of its monuments
Ragusa Ibla: the Charm of an Ancient Dame
“Ibla is a city that acts with two lights… Sometimes from an eloquent podium, more often at the lip, in mute, as befits a land that wears its baroque with the restraint of an ancient lady” (Gesualdo Bufalino, Cere perse).
Situated in the heart of the Val di Noto, on the southern slope of the Monti Iblei at an altitude of about 500 meters above sea level, lies the city of Ragusa, a provincial capital with a population of just over 70,000.
Its territory is furrowed by the Irminio River, once navigable, and connoted by a countryside with a typically recognizable physiognomy due to the prevalence of carob and century-old olive trees in fields bordered by characteristic dry-stone walls.
Ragusa has been called by literati, artists and economists ” The Island in the Island” for the particular peculiarities of historical character and for the socio-economic aspects for which it constitutes a “unicum” in the whole of Sicily.
Origins: Historical Background
The origins of Ragusa, ancient Hibla, date back to the 14th century B.C ,when several Sicilian villages sprang up in the area.
The city was affected byGreek influence, but several times besieged by the Greeks, it was never conquered; From the 3rd century b.
C. came under Roman control, which lasted for five centuries.
In the early medieval period, around 700 AD, Ragusa came under the rule of the Byzantines, to whom we owe the construction in Ibla of a large surrounding wall.
Archaeological evidence of that period are the Paleochristian Catacombs of Cava Celone and the Grotta delle Trabacche.
Arab rule then gave Ibla a grand boost in the field of agriculture, dozens and dozens of farmhouses were formed, cotton cultivation, irrigated crops, terracing.
Since the Norman period, except for a few brief interruptions, the city was for more than five hundred years administered independently by various counts, even within other dominations such as the Angevin and Aragonese, thanks to the ancient privileges that in 1091 the Great Count Roger granted to his own son Gufredo, the first count of Ragusa, who was able to administer it with wide autonomy.
During the Swabian period the city was incorporated into the state property, however some privileges were restored thanks to King Frederick II.
The Angevins, on the other hand, administered Sicily and Ragusa badly and were driven out thanks to the famous Sicilian Vespers, in particular John Prefoglio led the Ragusan revolt that exterminated the French garrison.
Following this, under the Aragonese, Ragusa regained its former Norman autonomy and was granted in lordship to Pietro Prefoglio, son of John. In 1296, the county of Ragusa merged with the county of Modica, which enjoyed an autonomous administration entirely separate from the government of Palermo, and thus became one of the most important feudal states in Italy and reached its greatest prestige especially under the powerful Count Bernardo Cabrera.
Upper Ragusa and Ragusa Ibla: Most Important Monuments
Following the earthquake that destroyed the entire southeastern Sicily in 1693 Ragusa was rebuilt with an entirely new and striking physiognomy, showing two faces of the city; Ragusa Superiore and Ragusa Ibla. The two souls are, however, held together by the opulent and pompous late Baroque style that defines its character. This architectural language manages to fully engage all the senses of the observer, who is enraptured and enraptured. The first sense that is captured is sight, which is captivated by the sinuous roundness of the plastic, massive figures of masks and cherubs that connote the architecture’s decorations, while the softness of the forms and the richness of the decorations intoxicate the touch, totally engaging the viewer’s senses.
- Upper Ragusa, which forms the most modern part of the city, is also called the city of bridges. The name is due to the presence of three picturesque bridges that, overlooking a verdant valley, make it possible to cross the city from one side to the other.
- Walking from one end to the other Ponte Vecchio or Ponte dei Cappuccini, Ponte Nuovo and Ponte Giovanni XXIII (or Ponte San Vito) you will certainly give yourself the powerful emotion of observing from above the Cava di Santa Domenica, in which you can glimpse lonely paths, ancient stone hovels and listen to the sound of a stream hidden in the greenery. Also in this district of the city you can admire magnificent examples of the late Baroque style typical of the buildings of the Val di Noto, as well as themselves Unesco heritage site.
- The Cathedral of St. John the Baptist stands in the square of the same name is marked by a ‘wide facade, rich in sculptures and carvings and divided into 5 sections by tall columns. Not far away stands the grandiose bulk of the Bishop’s Palace while, walking down Corso Italia, we come to the presence of Palazzo Bertini, whose facade is characterized by the presence of three striking characters, a beggar,a nobleman and a merchant in the form of stone masks.
- Finally noteworthy is Palazzo Zacco, now home to the Museum of Peasant Time.
Ragusa Ibla, rebuilt on its previous medieval layout, represents the historic center of the city and contains most of the no less than 18 monuments, declared UNESCO World Heritage Sites, that this city enjoys.
Ragusa Ibla, therefore contains a treasure trove of extraordinary wealth, which embodies its highest expression of beauty in the Cathedral of St. George.
If you proceed in the direction of the ancient Jewish quarter of “Cartellone” by climbing the stairs that skirt the Duomo’s mass on the left, you will feel as if you are touching with a finger the blue dome of the church of Santa Maria dell’Itria ( from the Greek Odygitria: “pointing the way”).
This is supported by an octagonal drum, decorated with eight polychrome terracotta panels depicting large vases of flowers reminiscent of the Rococo style.
If you walk down the wide street leading to the church, you will be caught in a clever and strategic play of perspectives that will allow you to admire the cathedral in all its magnificent grandeur, amplified by the majestic staircase leading to its entrance.
The urban fabric of Ragusa Ibla is mainly characterized by a kind of intricate maze of narrow streets, stairways, and palaces that gives the view truly unique vantage points and glimpses.
In particular, from the steps of Santa Maria delle Scale and the former military district of Ibla, one can appreciate breathtaking landscapes that take on a special charm especially at sunset.
Noteworthy is the Hyblaean Garden, characterized by a rich presence of plants typical of the area: here, from the charming terrace that opens inside, you can look out over the beautiful valley that surrounds the historic center and enjoy the panoramic view of the Hyblaean Mountains, being caressed by the wind breeze that often plays the leading role at this altitude.
To appreciate the immanent beauty of Ragusa Ibla and to enjoy contentedly the jewels it offers is to get lost like aimless travelers among the labyrinth of narrow streets that climb and narrow and then, all of a sudden descend winding, overlooked by sumptuous architecture and surprising decorations carved into the limestone tuff.
Around Ragusa
A particularly interesting visit near Scicli is to the Donnafugata Castle.
To discover the events and cultural happenings that enliven Ragusa Ibla, visit our page dedicated to Events in Ragusa Ibla.
Immerse yourself in local traditions and enjoy unique experiences!
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