Ragusa is the capital city of the province of Ragusa; it is situated on a limestone hill between Cava San Leonardo and Cava Santa Domenica, which are both very deep valleys. It is listed as one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites, along with 7 other cities in the Val di Noto, which is a region of southern Sicily that is dominated by the Iblean Plateau.
The city has two parts: the lower region is the older part of the city, known as the Ragusa Ibla and the upper or higher part is called the Ragusa Superiore or Upper Town. The two sections of the city are separated by the Valle dei Ponti, which is a deep ravine that has four bridges across it, including one that dates back to the 18th century and is called Ponte dei Cappuccini.
In the Upper Town region there is the Cathedral of San Giovanni Battista, which is the main point of interest. It was built between 1718 and 1778 and has the typical style of the time, which was Sicilian Baroque. There are three main sculptures in the cathedral, one of the Madonna, St John the Baptist and St John the Evangelist. The upper town is also home to the Hyblean Archaeological Museum, which houses six different sections that are devoted to Late Roman and Prehistoric findings.
The main attractions can be found in Ragusa Ibla or the old town. The Cathedral of San Giorgio was built in 1738, after the 1693 earthquake destroyed the temple, which previously held the site. The exterior has 250 steps, as well as massive columns and decorated portals. On one of the many narrow and winding streets through the old town you will find the church of Santa Maria delle Scale, Saint Mary of the Steps, which was built between the 15th and 16th centuries. It was badly damaged by the 1693 earthquake and half of it needed to be rebuilt, so the older half is in a Gothic style and the newer half is in a Baroque style. There are also a number of other churches in the old town; some are in Gothic style and Norman style, while others are in Baroque style.
Due to its location and rich history, the city of Ragusa is a popular tourist destination and although it lacks beaches, it does have some breath taking views and plenty of lovely cafes and restaurants to indulge yourself in.
Looking for self catering holiday accommodation in Ragusa? Then below is a selection of Apartments in Ragusa and villas in Ragusa that can be rented direct from their owners. You can either click on each listing for further details or you can use our search engine on the left if you are looking for something in particular.
