Luoghi Places

SIRACUSA da scoprire RAGUSA Luoghi Places Summary

Introduction Pag. 2 Places of interest Regional Archaeological Museum of Kamarina Pag. 3 Donnafugata Castle Pag. 4 Trabacche Cave Pag. 5 Caucana archaeological site Pag. 6 Natural Reserve of Randello Pag. 7 Pag. 8 Pag. 9

Places of Sicilian Ragusa Ibla Pag. 10 Pag. 11 Pag. 12 Pag. 13 Pag. 14 Siracusa Pag. 15

Discover Sicilian Cart Workshop Pag. 16 Oil Museum of Chiaramonte Gulfi Pag. 17 Art of Sicilian Embroidery Pag. 18 Butterfly House - Modica Pag. 19 Liberty House Museum Pag. 20 Luoghi Places Introduction

SIRACUSA

RAGUSA

Area of Ragusa Comiso Vittoria RAGUSA Ibla Scoglitti Modica

Punta Secca Scicli

Donnalucata

Sicily and the of Ragusa. Unforgettable. Sicily is home to myths, legends and traditions having their roots in ancient times. Normans, , Romans, and Spanish have left lasting traces in the history of the island. The art was born and found its highest expression in the and the , listed as a World Heritage Site by Unesco. Cinema and television have taken advantage of the architectural features of cities such as Modica, Scicli and Ispica, giving them an international reputation. Moreover the wonderful beaches of Marina di Ragusa, Scoglitti, Sampieri and other nature reserves o er a dreamlike scenery. Walk among the olive trees surrounded by stone walls and give yourself up to the view of pastures on the horizon. This is the best way to discover the spectacular area of the province of Ragusa. Nowhere else you will find such charming and timeless atmosphere.

2 Luoghi Places Luoghi di interesse Places of interest

Regional Archaeological Museum of Kamarina The museum is located within the archaeological area of the ancient "classic" town of Camarina. The site is 35 Km far from Ragusa and can be reached along the provincial road S. Croce-Scoglitti (fraction of the municipality of Vittoria). The museum is a late eighteenth-century rural construction, an example of agricultural residential typology in the Iblean seaside. The building, which is structured in several buildings around a central space on two sides to the countryside, insists on the site of the Acropolis where the Athena Temple stood. Some of the Temple findings are still visible at the Museums. The museum shows in 8 rooms the political, civil and economic history of Kamarina, urban development, the most important monuments and the material and artistic production.

3 Luoghi Places Places of interest

Donnafugata Castle Recently fully restored, the Castle, with its white façade and Venetian Gothic loggia, gives a warm feeling of pleasure every time it is visited, perhaps because it is a castle that could have illustrated a book of fairy tales and there is an immediate sense of recognition. The Castle that we see today is largely due to the work and imagination of the nineteenth century politician Baron Corrado Arezzo de Spuches [1824-95]. Inside the Castle, which has 122 rooms, only the first floor is open to visitors, but there is plenty to fascinate: you reach the “piano nobile” via a black stone staircase with statues on either side. Then there is the “smoking room”, which has a wallpaper with pipe motifs. Also the women have the “sala delle donne” (women's room), where they passed evenings. here is also a music room with three mechanical pianos, a billiard room, a picture gallery and the bedroom.

4 Luoghi Places Places of interest

Trabacche Cave The province of Ragusa is full of archaeological evidence of past ages. One of the most impressive places is the "Trabacche Cave", recently arranged and made fully available by the "Soprintendenza ai Beni Culturali". It is not really a natural cave but a small catacomb excavated in the limestone plateaus that characterize the Iblean mountains. By tradition, catacombs are the places where the early Christians hid themselves to escape the Roman persecution. Today this vision has been greatly resized. The catacomb was in fact the cemetery of excellence of the first Christian communities. They continued to be built even after the 313rd century, the year of the Edict of Tolerance, emanated by Emperor Constantine, who definitively ended the persecution.

5 Luoghi Places Places of interest

Caucana archaeological site is a seaside archaeological site in the municipality of . The ancient town, known for its archaeologi- cal excavations, is located a few hundred meters from , near Marina di Ragusa. Romans during the imperial era strengthened the port of Kaucanae which was important for centuries even in the Byzantine period. There are in fact the remains of a three-nave cemetery church with tombs in the floor. The excavations have brought to light an urbanistically interesting dwelling with simple rectangular houses of two or three rooms and buildings with many rooms and multiple floors with stairs and courtyards. The area was visited and studied by the famous archaeologist . The Archaeological Museum Ibleo in Ragusa collects the evidences of the area, that irepresents the Kaukana Archaeological Park with rests of a late-Roman and Byzantine trade port.

6 Luoghi Places Places of interest

Natural reserve of Randello The Randello beach is a long stripe of sand and dunes enclosed in a wide creek between Punta Braccetto and Scoglitti. Wet by the and protected by a vast pine forest, the beach is part of the Cava Randello Natural Protected Nature Reserve. In the past it was a private hunting reserve, today it is a fully equipped green lungs open to everyone, it is the right place for a picnic, for sports or for a bit of shade before diving to the sea. This oasis of eucalyptus, cypress, holm oak and oak trees extends for one hundred and fifty-six hectares and houses some necropolises (V - II century BC) of the archaeological park of Kamarina. The sandy shore is often covered with shells of all shapes and sizes and is protected by dunes and a characteristic fence of canes. It is not the most crowded beach in the area, perfect for those who love unspoilt beaches and seek tranquility. At the far end the cli s of Punta Braccetto and Scoglitti protect this beautiful beach made of golden sand, crystalline sea and Mediterranean bush.

7 Luoghi Places Places of interest

Scoglitti Scoglitti is a seaside town, district of Vittoria, in the province of Ragusa. Scoglitti is located on a flip-side of Italian territory located to a latitude south of Tunis; this location makes the climate particularly dry and temperate . Also the fauna and flora of the area are similar to the North African ones. The quiet town is rich in natural resources, with a marina, and a fishing harbor for fishing boats. In recent years, he has chosen to exploit his natural tourist vocation in an organic manner, o ering to o er national and international customers a rich summer sports program with cultural and sporting events.

8 Luoghi Places Places of interest

Chiaramonte Gulfi Chiaramonte Gulfi is called the "Balcony of Sicily" for the panoramic position, with views from (West) to Etna (Northeast), the valley of and its countries (Comiso, Vittoria, ) and the ridge of the Erei to , in addition to the sea and the Iblean mountains. The town has become famous in the world for the quality of its . The extra virgin olive oil DOP "Monti Iblei", and in particular from the "Gulfi" territory, has received many prestigious national and international prizes in recent years. Chiaramonte Gulfi is also the city of museums: - Museo di arte sacra - Museo di cimeli storico militari - Museo del ricamo e dello sfilato siciliano - Casa museo Liberty - Museo ornitologico - Museo degli strumenti etnico musicali - Museo dell’olio - Pinacoteca Giovanni de Vita

9 Luoghi Places Places of Sicilian Baroque

Ragusa Ibla Ragusa, the provincial capital, is divided into Superiore (the more modern part) and Ibla (the older part). The town has a very particular setting, perched on the Monti Iblei (hills), with the Irminio river running through it.

History The 1693 earthquake was both the ruin and the making of Ibla. Indeed, following the earthquake that destroyed most of the medieval structures, Ragusa was brought back to life with the execution of great works of , to such an extent that it has been declared a UNESCO world heritage site and also included in the Val di Noto district.

Did you know? The extraordinary geographical situation of the town has earned Ragusa the nickname “town of the bridges”: Ponte Vecchio, Ponte Nuovo and Ponte Papa Giovanni XXIII.

Some places not to be missed - The Duomo of San Giorgio, acknowledged worldwide as one of the highest expressions of Baroque religious architecture; - Cathedral of San Giovanni Battista, one of the mostmagnificent churches in Sicily; -Cattedrale di San Giovanni Battista, annoverata trale chiese più imponenti della ; -Archaeological museum, which exhibits vestiges of the nearby ancient settlements; - Piazza Pola, with its bars and restaurants, is the best starting point from which to explore the streets of Ibla

Archaeological and natural heritage sites The Kamarina archaeological site o ers you the opportunity to stroll about the remains of what was at its time a large Siracuse colony with a temple dedicated to Minerva, of which unfortunately only a few vestiges remain. Kaukana is another, in which you will find the remains of the ancient port town dating back to the time of the Byzantine rule. Il Giardino Ibleo is inthe Eastern part of Ragusa Ibla, overlooking the valley of the river Irminio. Dating back to the 19th century, the garden envelops no less than three churches, among them that of the Cappuccini.

Ragusa’s traditional local products Have you never heard about scacce? Every bar and restaurant in Ragusa makes these in a number of tasty variants: aubergine, ricotta cheese and spinach, tomato and traditional local cheese, sausage. Although scacce can be found all year round, they are traditionally eaten at Christmas time. You must also taste the local protected origin cheese, Ragusa Caciocavallo.

Events in Ragusa Ibla “Festa di San Giorgio”: last week of May in Ragusa Ibla “Festa di San Giovanni Battista”: 29th of August in Ragusa Superiore

10 Luoghi Places Places of Sicilian Baroque

Comiso The town of Comiso is located in a wide valley between the Iblei Mountains, about 17 km from ragusa. The land is flat, rich in urban settlements due to the urbanization process, small industries and also the expansion of greenhouse farms, especially near the coast.

History The real history of the city begins with the 's family, who leave Comiso as feud to a certain Federico Speciaro from Messina, in 1296. He built a palace/castle in the urban core and other fortifications.Around the palace will born the new town. It follows a series of transfers between the local nobles and events such as the plague of 1624 and the 1693 earthquake that slow down the development. It was the Naselli's family to govern the city from 1493 until the end of 1700 and to build public and private buildings, in the characteristic sicilian baroque style, churches and other buildings that have made famous to the city center thanks to the impact of the urban scenery.

Did you know? In Comiso was born Gesualdo Bufalino, writer of the twentieth century, father of meny stylistic invention and remarkable observer. The city is also famous for working hard stone, the so-called "Comiso stone", which is now a real industry. In the territory, in fact, the limestone is similar to marble and is widely used as a building material.

Some places not to be missed - Duomo di Comiso e Chiesa Madre - Santa Maria delle Stelle - Basilica Maria SS. Annunziata - Santuario di San Francesco all'Immacolata - Chiesa di S. Biagio - Ex Chiesa del Gesù (o di San Filippo Neri) - Chiesa di S. Maria delle Grazia (detta dei Cappuccini) - Castello dei Naselli d'Aragona - Pagoda della Pace - Palazzo Occhipinti - Palazzo comunale - Palazzo Trigona di Canicarao - Palazzo Iacono-Ciarcià - Terme Romane di Diana

Archaeological and natural heritage sites Terme Romane di Diana: this is real urban thermal baths. Buided by Romans, they were used until the Byzantine period. Cava Porcaro: the archaeological site includes some subterranean caves with prehistoric tombs

Comiso International Airport The airport, named to , is located 5 km from Comiso and 15 km from Ragusa. Born during the "Fascita" period, with a troubled political and military history, it is now an important reference for local .

11 Luoghi Places Places of Sicilian Baroque

Modica In typical late Baroque style, Modica is part of the district of Val di Noto. Apart from the numerous beautiful architectural structures, Modica is famous for the confections of chocolate made according to an ancient Aztec recipe. The associa- tion of this two most characteristic features of the town, led to the birth of the Chocobarocco, a cultural event that attracts an increasing number of visitors every year. History As in nearby Ragusa, Modica conserves little of theoriginal medieval settlement. The remains of the necropolis right at the centre of the town testify to the Byzantine rule, although the original settlement goes back to the ancient . In the late 13th century the Contea di Modica (county of Modica) was established to ratify the wealth and political force conquered by the city. Did you know? Modica is the birthplace of the poet , a famous hermit and winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1959? Quasimodo’s house-museum is located in Via Posterla. On the initiative of the poet’s relatives, a literary park has also been created, which includesthe places in Sicily that were most significant to Quasimodo and his family. Some places not to be missed - Duomo di San Giorgio: magnificent 5-naves church with precious paintings and a monumental organ; - Church of Santa Maria del Gesù: the most characteristic feature is the Catalan style of the architecture and decoration; - Castle of the Conti; - House-museum of Salvatore Quasimodo; - Quarticcio necropolis. Archaeological and natural heritage sites Cava Ispica is a real outdoor museum that includes a great variety of remains from di erent eras: grottos, frescos and a large catacomb. Don’t miss the Castello Sicano. A day in Cava d’Ispica is a great opportunity to explore the local vegetation. Modica’s traditional local products The boxes of Modica chocolate was brought over during the Spanish domination - who had learnt the Aztec technique - and is today one of Sicily’s most characteristic products. One of its features is its “cold” manufacture. Modica chocolate is unique and is spiced in various ways … Try the chilli variant! Events in Modica - Madonna Vasa Vasa: Easter Day in the morning - Palio della Contea: mid-August

12 Luoghi Places Places of Sicilian Baroque

Scicli The town, which sits in a valley between rocky hills just 40km from the Resort, is famous for its baroque buildings. Among these the Palace, one of the most interesting of the entire Ragusa area. In the former monastery of San Michele there is the “Museo del Costume Mediterraneo” where to find out about the customs and culture of Val di Noto. The Town Hall and via Mormino Penn have become familiar spots to viewers of the TV series “Il Commissario Montalbano”.

History Settlements of the area of Scicli dates back to the Copper and Early Bronze Ages (3rd millennium BC to the 15th century BC). Scicli was founded by the (whence probably the name) around 300 BCE.

Did you know? The city is also frequently used as a film set, most recently for Marco Bellocchio’s “Il regista di matrimony”i and is popular in as the home of Il Commissario Montalbano, a popular television series. The city is also notable for its religious parades which includes “Presepe” (nativity scenes) enacted in the caves surrounding the city at Christmas time. These caves, known as the “Chiarafura” caves, were dug out in the tu cli s, and some were inhabited by the local poor as recently as 1958. At Easter, the city celebrates with the “Uomo Vivo” parade which involves a long religious procession through the city. A decorated horse parade takes place in March, from Scicli to the neighbouring town of . The most spectacular religious festival, the “A Maronna i Milici” occurs in May, commemorating the appearance of the Madonna on a white horse holding aloft a sword. This encouraged the Christian Normans to defeat the Saracens in 1091.

Some places not to be missed - Church of San Matteo, which was the local Mother Church until 1874. It is located on the eponymous hill in the Old City - Church of Santa Marìa la Nova, with a huge Neoclassicist façade and a cypresse-wood statue of Madonna della Pietà - The scenographic St. Bartolomeo, in Baroque style - Palazzo Fava, one of the first and largest Baroque palaces in the town. Notable are the late-Baroque decorations of the portal and the balconies. - The Town Hall, the Palazzo Spadaro and the Palazzo Beneventano, all boasting Baroque decorations

Events in Scicli - Festa delle Milizie - Cavallcata di San Giuseppe - Festa del Cristo Risorto - Presepi di Natale

13 Luoghi Places Places of Sicilian Baroque

Noto Noto, known as the pearl of Sicilian Baroque, gives its name to the district called Val di Noto, made up of a string of municipalities remarkable for their art works and architecture of their palaces and churches. Since the nineteen-eighties, Noto has become even more famous thanks to the annual Infiorata (floral display), which takes place in May.

History The presence of the Aragonese gave Noto a particular city structure and made it a centre of art and culture in 1400. Like Ragusa, Noto had also literally flourished again after the devastating earthquake of 1600, after this terrible event, massive reconstruction works began. The architecture in Noto is, indeed, unique of its kind, with large squares and staircases, all elegantly illuminated by the typical pinkish colour of the local stone.

Did you know? The city of Noto and its architectural splendour are strongly linked with the figure of the famous Giuseppe Lanza, duke of Camastra, who was in chargeof the entire reorganisation of the city and gave the typical Sicilian Baroque elements. The duke of Camastra was also responsible for the rebuilding of , again following an earthquake, which was redesigned according to antiearthquake criteria way ahead of their time. Some places not to be missed Palazzo Ducezio, the town hall, remarkable for the beauty of its loggia with eleven arches; Chiesa Madre di San Nicola, the city’s majestic Baroque cathedral; Palazzo Nicolaci di Villadorata, which is one of the most beautiful aristocratic buildings. Its balconies are made in beaten iron and decorations that depictmermaids, winged horses, hippogri s and other invented animals.

Some places not to be missed Noto Antica is the city’s ancient urban settlement, which still contains remains dating from theGreek era. Eloro is an archaeological site located near to Noto, right at the mouth of the Tellaro river. The Roman Villa at the Tellaro is a real treasure to be discovered. From Noto you can reach it by motorway, turning o towards . The villa dates back to the 4th Century AD and conserves an incredibly rich mosaic work, whose preciousness challenges the one of the more famous Villa del Casale in Piazza Armerina.

Archaeological and natural heritage sites Cava Ispica è un vero e proprio museo all’aperto che include una gran varietà di reperti riconducili ad epoche diverse: grotte, a reschi e un’estesa catacomba. Da non perdere inoltre il Castello Sicano. Una giornata a Cava d’Ispica si rivela un’ottima occasione anche per conoscere la vegetazione tipica locale.

Noto’s traditional local products If you happen to visit Noto, don’t miss a good draught of Moscato di Noto, the local protected origin wine with a pleasant aromatic taste. And for dessert, try the Conchiglie, delicious sweets with real pasta in shell shapes filled with citron jam.

Eventi a Modica - Celebration of San Corrado Confalonieri; - Infiorata (floral display), where real artworks are created with various representations made exclusively with fresh flowers.

14 Luoghi Places Places of Sicilian Baroque

Siracusa Siracusa, located on the southeastern coast of the island at 100km from the Resort, is the fourth largest city in Sicily by popu- lation. In the past, it was one of the greatest cities of the ancient world and among the largest greek polis in the world. In addition, for more than a millennium, until the Islamic conquest of Sicily, Siracusa was the most important city in Sicily and the island’s capital of the Roman and . Characterized by enormous wealth and important historical evidences, in 2005 the city was awarded the title of World Heritage Site by UNESCO along with the ancient Rocky .

History The origins of Syracuse date back to the fourteenthcentury BC and refer to the remains of circular huts found on the island of Ortigia. The island of Ortigia was the first settlement inhabited of the ancient Syracuse, which was founded in the eighth century BC by the Corinthians. Later, in 485 BC, the city was conquered by Gelon, tyrant of Gela, who defeated the Carthaginians in 480 BC. With Gelon, wars against Athens began and continueduntil 415 BC with the defeat of Athens. In the third and fourth centuries A.D. Syracuse fell under Roman rule until 476 AD. There followed various rules and between 663-668 Syracuse became the capital of the Eastern Empire. The Normans rediscovered the city in the eleventh century and Frederick II of Swabia, in the thirteenth century, fortified the island of Ortigiawith Castle Maniace. In the sixteenth century, Charles V further enlarged and fortified the city, but in 1693 an earthquake completely destroyed the center which was rebuilt in Baroque style buildings. With the unification of Italy. in 1860, the Spanishwalls were demolished and the construction of the districts on the mainland began.

Some places not to be missed - The Archaeological Park - The ancient Ortigia - Fountain of Arethusa - The Marine Aquarium - Santa Lucia and Caravaggio - The Catacombs of St. Giovanni - The largest archaeological museum in Sicily - The performance of the Puppets - The Vendicari Oasis - Marine Protected Area of Plemmirio

15 Luoghi Places Discover Sicily

Via Orfanotrofio, 22, Ragusa T. 340 844 4804 rossocinabro.tk

Sicilian Cart Workshop One of the best-known symbols of Sicilian folk iconography, the cart was created as a means of transport that responded to practical needs, but went on to be transformed into a vehicle for cultural transmission. Sculpture and painting were applied its various constituent parts to represent moments from the island’s history, or from epic stories or popular religion, creating valuable constructions that were genuine traveling works of art. The Sicilian cart is closely linked to the history of the island, but is hasn’t always existed, not least because the deterioration of the road network after the fall of the Roman Empire made two-wheeled vehicles almost unusable. It was only at the beginning of the nineteenth century that the cart began to be widespread, as prior to then all trade and transport were generally carried out by sea. Over the years the cart has lost its original purpose of transporting goods and has taken on a symbolic value as part of folklore. Although it is much rarer now, the knowledge of these artisans has not disappeared as it was closely guarded and handed down over time, from father to son. It is rich and complex skill, kept alive by a tradition of craft families. A couple of them, has based a workshop in Ragusa Ibla: Biagio Castilletti and Damiano Rotella.

16 Luoghi Places Discover Sicily

Via Montesano, 1, Chiaramonte Gulfi T. +39 0932 711218

Olive Oil Museum of Chiaramonte Gulfi The museum is housed in the Montesano Palace at Chiaramonte Gulfi, a small town about 20 km far from Ragusa, in seven halls with barrel vaults; In these environments there are some tools of extractive technology of olive oil: a 1614 press, a stone grinding wheel, jade, oil measuring instruments and di erent tools and utensils. Common objects and ingenious devices, specific to images and rural environments. The "relics": a typical iron oil container, a hydromechanical press from the early twentieth century. In the rooms you can admire, among other things: jar with wide and narrow mouth; old "quartare", recipients with two side handle and lid, oils, iron sander, iron plowand wooden plow; vintage sta s, baskets, iron scissors for pruning, saw blades (sirracules) and hand drill (crankshaft). From one room to the other, the theme is always found in jars, pots, in classic snow carts, bumblebees (sorts of liquids jugs), funnels. In a specific environment, the exhibition theme is developed around the most striking tools of work. There is an iron trawl yard, a wooden plow with plowshares, a shovel, a trident for forage, a cart, here quarts (water containers), wooden wire grids with wire mesh, axes.

17 Luoghi Places Discover Sicily

Via Lauria, 4, Chiaramonte Gulfi T. +39 0932 711218

Art of Sicilian Embroidery It is an ancient art that is passed on from generation to generation but unfortunately it is likely to be lost in the midst of time. The Sicilian "sfilato" is the ancient embroidery art that, in 2007, was inserted by the Sicilian Region in the REI, the UNESCO Immaterial Register. The workings of the Sicilian parade are three: 500, 700 and 400: each of them, is distinguished by the particular technique of knitting the threads and the drawing. But Chiaramonte can boast an embroidery point that takes the name of the whole city: the "Chiaramonte Point". In Chiaramonte Gulfi, a town 20 km far from Ragusa, there is also a museum dedicated to the Sicilian "Sfilato". It is located in one of the narrow streets adjacent to the historic staircase of St. John, within the impressive medieval trace of the ancient city. There are spaces in the museum where furnishings, photographs and precious handicrafts are built, the environments in which the unmistakable and increasingly rare embroideries of the Sicilian parade are created.

18 Luoghi Places Discover Sicily

Ex Caserma dei Carabinieri, Modica T. +39 335 7878895 Open from April to June www.lacasadellefarfalle.eu

Butterfly House - Modica Hundreds of tropical butterflies of many and varied species fly freely in our winter garden, which is located in the former convent of the Carmine in the center of Modica. This charming garden combined with the beauty of the butterflies is the heart of the "Butterfly House". The structure, over 300 sqm, houses hundreds of exotic butterflies left in a space that reproduces the almost natural conditions of a tropical virgin forest with a temperature of 26° C and a humidity of 80%. A waterfall, small ponds and bridges create a picturesque scenery that gives emphasis to the beauty of butterflies and o ers a unique opportunity to take wonderful pictures. Infos on billboards gives exhaustive notions about the insects and allow you to comprehend the life cycle of a butterfly. In the so-called "chrysalis house" guests can attend the birth of butterflies from their chrysalises. You will also find the giant Cobra Butterfly (Attacus atlas), characteristic for the lively colors and the fantastic motif of its wings, that can reach an opening of 30 cm.

19 Luoghi Places Discover Sicily

Via Montesano, 1, Chiaramonte Gulfi T. +39 0932 711218

Liberty House Museum It is a unique setting in Italy, private collection of Emiliana Figliuoli. It exhibits precious objects made by artists such as Renè Lalique, Legras, Calderoni and is completed in the furnishings of a house, with custom-designed furniture by Ernesto Basile and Carlo Zen. In the expositive installation each piece is shown in its natural functional setting. Also is present a rich documentation of books on the Liberty.

20 RAGUSA

by

Find more on our web-site www.donnafugatagolfresort.com