ragusa, scicli and modica are three pearls that are also declared unesco world heritage sites.
ragusa can be defined as two cities in one. the old section (ragusa ibla) had to be rebuilt over the ruins of the 1697 earthquake, while the new section was built later, during the 18th-century reconstruction.
the duomo of san giorgio is the symbol of the city's rebirth, the work of rosario gagliardi, whose signature appears on many masterpieces within the noto valley. the church's columns, friezes and statues render the façade with that typical baroque ostentation. its three naves are delineated by stone pillars, topped by finely decorated capitals.
the cathedral in new ragusa is dedicated to st. john the baptist, with an impressive façade dominated from above by a lateral 164-ft bell tower. the church of santa maria delle scale, equally lovely, features a 14th-century portal that survived the aforementioned earthquake and was reused for the construction of the new baroque church.
refined and richly decorated buildings grace the streets of the city of modica. atop a great stairway floats the imposing façade of the church of san giorgio, a symbol of this beautiful city further inland from ragusa. the town opens out at the foot of the cliff that hugs the ancient part of the town; picturesque alleys, roads and small stairways lend it its character. the cathedral of san giovanni is a must.
a look upwards reveals the impressive, elaborate adornments, and the flowing and sprightly perspective of its façade.
modica is the birthplace of salvatore quasimodo, nobel prize recipient in literature; the house where he spent a part of his life has remained exactly the same, complete with his memoirs and his photos.
sicli is one of the central highlights of the sicilian baroque and of the ragusa coast.
finely-decorated balconies display their ironmongery and flower decorations, while portals are carved with elegant mouldings. frames and friezes complete the design, mainly characterized by refined city buildings - of which palazzo beneventano is one of the best examples.
three structures assembled together in a pyramidal form compose the exterior of the monumental church of san bartolomeo, the ?queen? of sicli.
another artistic gem in the province of ragusa is the town of ispica, that also offers bountiful natural attractions.
