For the past twenty years, Ragusa has been part of the UNESCO World Heritage sites, given its immense importance from a historical and artistic point of view. Perfect for a cultural trip but also to spend the summer holidays, Ragusa is the ideal destination for a stay under the banner of art and the wonderful sea of the southernmost province of Sicily.
Baroque art, the Sicilian sea and one of the best cuisine in the world: these are the three common characteristics that best describe the city of Ragusa. The whimsical decorations of the city frame a much more sparkling setting, where natural and architectural beauties come together in one of the most particular places in our country.
Ragusa is located in the Val di Noto, in the southernmost point of Sicily, and is immersed in an area extremely rich in natural and architectural beauties, where nothing is missing, from the sea to the mountains, from good food to the many activities that you can carry out and that will make your summer unforgettable.
What to see in Ragusa
It is important to know that Ragusa was destroyed by the earthquake of 1693, which led to the need to rebuild the city giving it a completely new face. In this way, the Baroque style spread more and more in the territory, leaving an indelible mark that today characterizes the entire city. Today, Ragusa is divided into two large districts, Ragusa Superiore and Ragusa Ibla, the first more modern and the second more traditional.
Ragusa Ibla represents the historic centre of the city and hosts the famous Cathedral of San Giorgio, the symbol of the city centre. For those wishing to explore the beauties of the city, the Ibleo Garden (from which you have a beautiful view of the Iblei Mountains), the Cathedral of S. Giovanni, the Church of S. Maria delle Scale, Palazzo Zacco, the Palazzo Bertini and Palazzo Battaglia, all included in the UNESCO World Heritage.
Around Ragusa
For those who want to move a little from Ragusa, the surrounding area is full of beauties to be discovered. Let’s start from the cities of Modica and Scicli , also a UNESCO World Heritage Site and known as the baroque cities of the Val di Noto, to then arrive at Marina di Ragusa, a seaside resort about 20 km from Ragusa, where the blue of the sea and the blue of the sky merge into a unique landscape that leaves you speechless.
Also, about 20 km from Ragusa, there is the Donnafugata Castle, an imposing nineteenth-century residence with a rich garden full of Mediterranean and exotic plants, where “Montalbano” was filmed.
What to do in Ragusa
The beauty of spending time in Ragusa is the possibility of being able to live a different experience every day, in contact with nature or with local tradition. In fact, many events are organized such as music festivals, shows and concerts — especially in summer — which involve the entire city, making the atmosphere livelier and sparkling.
Local markets are also very famous, such as the one held in Contrada Selvaggio every Wednesday, where it is possible to find all the local products in their freshest and most genuine version. The nightlife, on the other hand, winds its way between the historic centre and Ragusa Marina, where in the summer the nightlife is particularly active and everything is dressed in a party atmosphere.
The beaches of Marina di Ragusa
Marina di Ragusa has beaches of very fine and golden sand, with shallow and sloping bottoms, and is therefore ideal for families with children, but also for those who do not particularly like rocky beaches with immediately deep waters.
Despite the sandy bottom, however, the water remains clear and transparent. The numerous seaside chalets give that touch of whimsy to the beaches, making them accessible both to families with children and to those who want to have fun at any time of the day.
Cover Image: Tripsavvy
