Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Ragusa
POP 72,800 / ELEV 502M
Like a grand old dame, Ragusa is a dignified and well-aged provincial town. Like every
other town in the region, Ragusa collapsed after the 1693 earthquake; a new town called
Ragusa Superiore was built on a high plateau above the original settlement. But the old ar-
istocracy were loath to leave their tottering
palazzi
and rebuilt Ragusa Ibla on the original
site. The two towns were only merged in 1927.
Ragusa Ibla remains the heart and soul of the town, and has all the best restaurants and
the majority of sights. A sinuous bus ride or some very steep and scenic steps connect the
lower town to its modern sister up the hill.
Sights
Grand churches and
palazzi
line the twisting, narrow streets of Ragusa Ibla, interspersed
with
gelaterie
and delightful piazzas where the local youth stroll and the elderly gather on
benches
.
Palm-planted Piazza del Duomo, the centre of town, is dominated by the 18th-
century
Cattedrale di San Giorgio
(Piazza Duomo; 10am-12.30pm & 4-6.30pm)
, with its magni-
ficent neoclassical dome and stained-glass windows.
At the eastern end of the old town is the
Giardino Ibleo
( 8am-8pm)
, a pleasant public
garden laid out in the 19th century that is perfect for a picnic lunch.
Sleeping
L'Orto Sul Tetto
( 093 224 77 85;
www.lortosultetto.it
;
Via Tenente Distefano 56; s €45-60, d €70-110; )
This
sweet little B&B behind Ragusa's
duomo
offers an intimate experience, with just three
rooms and a lovely roof terrace where breakfast is served.
B&B
€
INN
€€
Locanda Don Serafino
( 093 222 00 65;
www.locandadonserafino.it
;
Via XI Febbraio 15; s €80-138, d €90-168; )
This
historic inn near the
duomo
has beautiful rooms, some with original vaulted stone ceilings,
plus a well-regarded restaurant nearby. For €9 extra, guests get access to the Lido Azzurro
beach at Marina di Ragusa, 25km away.
