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    Ragusa Ibla

    Italy

    Ragusa Ibla

    CityCulture

    Ragusa Ibla is one of the two parts of Ragusa's old town in southeastern Sicily. It lies on a hill east of the city and was rebuilt on its ancient site after the 1693 earthquake, while a new upper town arose on the higher ground above.

    by Felix Gillen

    1. Home
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    5. Italy
    7. Sicily
    9. Ragusa Ibla
    Ragusa Ibla is one of the two parts of Ragusa's old town in southeastern Sicily. It lies on a hill east of the city and was rebuilt on its ancient site after the 1693 earthquake, while a new upper town arose on the higher ground above. Narrow streets, staircases, and alleys still follow its medieval layout. Together with the upper town, Ibla is one of the late Baroque towns of the Val di Noto, which have been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2002.

    Sights in Ragusa Ibla

    Discover the most important sights and attractions

    Duomo di San Giorgio
    Church

    1Duomo di San Giorgio

    Main church of Ragusa Ibla, built from 1739 after the 1693 earthquake according to plans by Rosario Gagliardi; the facade was completed in 1775. The tower facade stands diagonally to Piazza Duomo above a grand staircase; the Neoclassical dome was added in the 19th century.
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    Cathedral San Giovanni Battista
    Church

    2Cathedral San Giovanni Battista

    Late Baroque Cathedral in the Upper Town, newly laid out after 1693, built from 1718 on the site of a previous structure. Its richly decorated facade with an approximately 50-meter-high bell tower stands above an elevated forecourt with a balustrade.
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    Hyblaean Garden
    Garden

    3Hyblaean Garden

    Public park, established in 1858, at the eastern end of Ibla on a rock spur above the Irminio Valley. Three churches stand on the grounds: San Giacomo, the Capuchin Church and San Domenico. From the terrace, you gaze over the valley.
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    Saint Mary of the Stairs
    Church

    4Saint Mary of the Stairs

    15th-century church at the top of the staircase connecting the upper town with Ibla. From here, you can see Ragusa Ibla. Preserved are remnants of a Gothic portal and a Gothic stone pulpit.
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    Portals of San Giorgio
    Attraction

    5Portals of San Giorgio

    15th-century Gothic-Catalan portal, the only remaining part of the old St. George's Church, which collapsed during the 1693 earthquake. The portal stands at the entrance to the Giardino Ibleo.
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    Castello di Donnafugata
    Castle

    6Castello di Donnafugata

    Noble residence of the Arezzo family about 15 kilometers from Ragusa, expanded in the 19th century under Baron Corrado Arezzo into a Neo-Gothic castle with a loggia. Of over 120 rooms, about twenty can be visited, many with original furnishings; an eight-hectare park features a stone labyrinth.
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    City walks in Ragusa Ibla

    Curated walking tours through the city's highlights, handpicked by experienced travel journalists.

    Baroque Masterpiece: A Walk Through Ragusa Ibla

    Discover the enchanting old town of Ragusa Ibla, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This 2-hour walk leads you through winding lanes, past magnificent Baroque churches and palaces, and reveals breathtaking views. Immerse yourself in the unique atmosphere of this Sicilian gem.

    ~2 Std.
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    Stops (7)

    Dining & Drinks

    1

    Delicatessen in drogheria

    Delicatessen with a bistro on Via Archimede in the Upper Town, with sandwiches and Mediterranean dishes.
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    2

    Salumeria Barocco

    Delicatessen with wine bar and bistro on Corso XXV Aprile in Ibla, featuring Sicilian cured meats and cheese specialties.
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    3

    Decanter Full Proof

    Restaurant and bar on Piazza San Giovanni in the Upper Town, opposite the Cathedral.
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    4

    La Grotta

    Snack bar on Via Giovanni Cartia in the Upper Town, with pizza, sandwiches and Sicilian street food.
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    Dining & Drinks

    The cuisine of the Province of Ragusa is rustic, featuring cheese, meat, and pastries made from durum wheat.

    Ragusano DOP

    Rectangular cow's milk cheese, ripening while hanging on hemp strings.

    Scacce

    Stuffed flatbreads, called scaccia in the Ragusa area, such as with tomato and ricotta.

    Chocolate from Modica

    Cold-processed chocolate with a grainy texture from nearby Modica, with Protected Geographical Indication since 2018.

    Cerasuolo di Vittoria

    Red wine with DOCG from the area around Vittoria.

    History and Culture

    Ibla was the medieval seat of the County of Ragusa. On January 11, 1693, an earthquake destroyed the city, claiming around 5,000 lives. Ibla was rebuilt on its original site; meanwhile, a new town arose on the adjacent hill. This resulted in two separate municipalities, reunited only in the 20th century.Rosario Gagliardi's Cathedral of San Giorgio is one of his masterpieces. The Cathedral appears in the opening credits of the TV series Il commissario Montalbano, based on Andrea Camilleri's novels. In late May, Ibla celebrates the Feast of St. George.

    Exploring locally

    In Ibla, you walk; the alleys are narrow. From the upper town, you can reach Ibla by car, city bus, or on foot via the stairway near Santa Maria delle Scale.Ragusa is on the Syracuse–Gela railway line. A car is most practical for excursions to the surrounding area and the coast.

    Accommodations in Ragusa Ibla

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    Campgrounds in Ragusa Ibla

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      • 1Duomo di San Giorgio3 days
      • 2Cathedral San Giovanni Battista4 days
      • 3Hyblaean Garden5 days
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    Nearby

    Noto

    Noto

    Noto, in southeastern Sicily, 30 km from Syracuse, is considered a prime example of Sicilian Baroque. After the 1693 earthquake, the city was rebuilt 8 km from its old site, with squares, staircases, and light stone palaces. Since 2002, it and other Val di Noto Baroque towns are UNESCO World Heritage sites. Along Corso Vittorio Emanuele are the Cathedral, palaces, and churches. Nearby are the Vendicari Nature Reserve and the ruins of Noto Antica.
    Syracuse

    Syracuse

    Syracuse on the southeast coast of Sicily was in antiquity one of the most powerful cities in the Greek world. The old town is located on the small island of Ortigia: alleys, Baroque palaces and the Cathedral, which was built into a Greek temple of Athena. On the mainland are the Neapolis archaeological park with its large Greek Theatre and the Paolo Orsi Archaeological Museum. Together with the Rock Necropolis of Pantalica, Syracuse has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2005. Ortigia is well-suited for accommodation.
    Catania

    Catania

    Catania is Sicily's second-largest city, located on the east coast at the foot of Mount Etna. Following the major eruption of 1669 and the earthquake of 1693, the old town was rebuilt in Baroque style, often using dark lava rock. Since 2002, it has been part of the UNESCO World Heritage site of the Baroque Towns of Val di Noto. Its focal point is the Piazza del Duomo, featuring the Elephant Fountain and the Cathedral; just next to it is the fish market. In the evenings, many gather in the old town around Via Crociferi. The city's airport serves as a starting point for many travelers exploring Eastern Sicily and Mount Etna.
    Etna

    Etna

    Mount Etna, on the eastern coast of Sicily, is Europe's highest active volcano, standing over 3,300 meters tall; its exact height changes by several dozen meters with each eruption. Since 2013, it has been a UNESCO World Heritage site. On the south side, a road leads up to nearly 2,000 meters and a cable car to around 2,500 meters. You hike over cooled lava flows, past secondary craters, and gaze out from the upper slopes over the Ionian Coast. On the lower slopes, wine, pistachios, and fruit grow in fertile volcanic soil.
    Sicily

    Sicily

    Sicily is the largest island in the Mediterranean and separated from the Italian mainland by the Strait of Messina. Greeks, Romans, Arabs, Normans, and Spaniards have left behind temples, mosaics, cathedrals, and Baroque cities here. In the east rises Mount Etna, the highest mountain on a Mediterranean island and one of the world's most active volcanoes.

    Sources & method

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