Ragusa, Modica, Noto: What are the pearls of the Sicilian Baroque

In 2002, the UNESCO World Organization has replenished its treasury at once several names. These precious for world culture and history Eight settlements of Sicily, the so-called city of Valley Noto: Caltagirone, Catania, Shikley, Milito-In-Val di Catania, Palazzolo-acreide, Ragusa, Modica and Noto.

Oddly enough, they are obliged to earthquake of 1693, destroyed them almost completely. Refractory cities Local residents did not return to the old architectural direction. On the contrary, they took the style formed at the time – Baroque. Adding authentic Sicilian motifs and unique strokes, builders gradually created a style, which is no longer in the world – Sicilian baroque.

Ragusa, Modica and Noto – Perhaps the most famous settlements of the valley. And it is not surprising. Ragusa – the dynamic and peculiar capital of the province of the same name, is divided into the upper city, in which modern life boils, and the lower city, frozen in the centuries of pompous monumentality. Ragusa-Ibla – this is exactly the name of the baroque part of the city, which attracts the attention of many scientists, historians, architects and tourists. It is she who interested UNESCO.

When detuning the city, local residents could not come to a compromise in a dispute broken because of the place in which the new Ragusa was to grow. NIzhniy city was built up poor people, since Ragusa Ibla means "city for all".

Top city or Ragusa Superiore remained the city of rich people.

The main attraction of this part of the Ragusa – San Giovanni Battista Cathedral, The last restructuring of which took place in 1718. It is here, in silver reliquia, having a shape of a hand, The bone of the patron of Ragusa is stored – John the Baptist, whose name is called the Cathedral. Celebration in his honor every year they acquire an increasing scale. St. Nativity Day (June 24) celebrate only in a religious key. But the holiday of the city is considered the day of the martyrdom of John the Baptist – August 29. Several days, local residents and tourists participate in solemn processing and mass.

Traditional cycling, fair and magnificent fireworks make a holiday interesting and brighter.

The main attraction of the Nizhny city is Basilica of St. George. Exterior Decoration of Basilica Underline columns, balconies, baroque statues, elegant staircase at the main entrance.

Famous Ragusa-Ibla and their Gardens located at an altitude of 385 meters. It is from here that it opens just stunning View of the iblase mountains. In the shade of palm alley is Several baroque chramms: Church of San Giacomo, Church of San Vincenzo Frereri, Kapuchin Church, San Domenico Church, as well as the Vintage Portal of the Church of San Georgio Vecchio, who survived during the earthquake. Gardens of local residents and tourists from 1858.

By the way, only partially suffered from the catastrophe of 1693 another church. Chiesa Di Santa Maria Delle Scale – so-called Church of Our Ladder, is located between the upper and lower parts of the Ragusa. It is known for a steep staircase consisting of 242 steps, and characteristic elements of the gothic style.

Until 1926 Ragusa Ibla and Ragusa Superiore remained in the status of cities independent from each other, and the capital of the province was a model. After uniting the upper and lower cities, Ragusa became a new capital.

From the Ragusa to the model you can easily get in train or bus, and the time in the way will take 20-25 minutes.

Modica, also and the Ragusa, is divided into the upper and lower parts – MODICA ALTA and MODICA BASSA. Main landmark of the Upper City – San Giorgio Cathedral, Located on top of a huge staircase consisting of 250 steps. Engaged painted walls of Dzhirolamo Aliprandi brush, delightful facade of a three-level building and a bell tower on his top.

In all Sicily, it is not found a city panorama of the belch that opens on the way to Grand City Castle – Castello Dei Conti, Also located in Modica Alta, and its tower with a huge clock.

Another famous Modic Cathedral is located in the lower city – San Pietro Cathedral, On the stairs of which tourists and parishioners meet the statues of 12 apostles. Notable is the bell tower of the cathedral, reaching 50 meters in a height.

Castello Dei Conti

Coloric streets, picturesque bridges, grand churches and monasteries are not all that is famous for the model. The main raisin of the city is Production of unique granulated chocolate, which is added acute pepper, vanilla, sea salt, cinnamon. Ancient Aztec recipes and the art of creating this amazing chocolate brought the Spaniards from their expeditions, which Sicily once belonged to Sicily.

Every year a grandiose is held in the model Chocolate Chocolate Festival, While working meetings of professional chocolates, seminars, exhibitions, well, and, of course, tasting chocolate.

Many tourists go to the Modicism to visit the city holidays celebrated in the days of the saints of the city’s patrons – St. Peter and St. George, as well as the Easter festival, especially magnificently celebrated here.

Know how to celebrate the holidays and in the city of Noto, rightly considered the heart of the same name. February 19 here Grand celebrations in honor of the patron saint of the city – St. Corrado. And in the third Sunday May, noto expresses his love and respect of the outgoing spring and the approaching summer. "Infiorita" – This is exactly the name of the feast of flowers, thanks to which the entire town is drowning in colorful compositions, and Korrado Street Nikolay rises a carpet consisting of 16 paintings.

After earthquake The city was rejected by three architects: Paolo Labishi, Vincenzo Sinatra, Rosario Gallardi. Other specialists also joined. They designed noto streets in such a way that the sun throughout the light day illuminated the magnificent buildings of the city.

Starting from the royal gate, rushes in the distance, crossing Three Square Main Prospect Noto – Vittorio Avenue Emanulele. It is here that the main sights of the city are located: Monastery Santissimo Salvatore and his huge tower, Drekrecio Palace, Jesuit Church, Church of St. Francesco, boarding school and palace Nikolay Villatoret. The Church of the Holy Domenic is at the end of the avenue. In the same place lovers of beautiful baroque buildings will find a fountain of Hercules.

One of the main attractions of the Avenue and the city as a whole is Saint Nikolo Cathedral, erected in 1776. The magnificent basil has been damaged repeatedly. The last time it happened in 1990, when the dome of the cathedral and the central oil was destroyed as a result of the earthquake. In 2007, the building was renovated.

In each of the cities, museums are functioning, the exhibits of which will tell those who want about the heroic history and the centuries-old culture of Ragusa, MODIKA and noto.