Ragusa is devided into the newer Ragusa Superior and the older Ragusa Ibla. Ibla is a spectacular mix of nar
row streets, steep winding steps, old churches, and fantastic views.
In 1693 Ragusa was hit by a terrible earthquake that destroyed most of the town. When the ragusan had to decide where to rebuild their town they split into two groups. The San Giorgians (the nobels) that stayed in Ibla rebuilt the old town and the magnificent Duomo di San Giorgio, and the working class that moved onto the new site of Ragusa and built the Cathedral of San Giovanni and the new city. The old church of San Giorgio (XIV) was badly damaged and most of its stones were used to build the new Duomo (XVIII), only the Portal of the ancient church was spared by the earthquake and recostruction.
Ragusa is the capital of its province and today is an active city with over 72.000 inhabitants. Since 2002 it is part of the UNESCO World Heritage with 18 buildings in Ragusa on the list.
There is a project to convert the old railway-line running north past Chiaramonte Gulfi and to Vizzini (the track is already gone) into a bicycle-track.
There are busses from Syracuse, Catania, Modica, Vittoria, Marina di Ragusa, Noto, Palermo (4h, €12), Rome (SAIS Trasporti).
The bus terminal is in the new part of Ragusa in Via Zama. Bus companies operating from Ragusa:
It is possible to reach Ragusa by train, the central train station is in the new part of town in Piazza Gramsci. The old stations of Ragusa Ibla and Ragusa Genisi have been closed, and the station of Ragusa Donnafugata gets used to visit the Castle. On the train from Siracusa to Ragusa takes about 2 hours.
The port of Marina di Ragusa is at 24km, but at the moment there aren't any schedule ferris. In the near future there should by an Hydrofoil-service connecting Marina di Ragusa to Malta.
Take bus no 1 or 3 to the Ibla. The last bus leaves the tourist office at 8.40pm. If you go there on foot do not follow the directions for cars but take the step streets down from Via Roma.
In Ragusa there are 15 lines of local bus, mainly circular lines, run by AST (Azienda Siciliana Trasporti). You can buy bus tickets at Tobacco shops and News Agents.
Taxi
There is a taxi station/office at the beginning of Ragusa Ibla in Piazza della Repubblica and there are taxis at the train station in the new Ragusa.
Metro
There is a plan to build a light metropolitan train system using the railway-line that runs in Ragusa. There will be 15 stops for 18 kilometers of Metropolitan line, running from the high-part of Ragusa through the citycentre and down to Ibla and to the University.
Cathedral of San Giovanni, Piazza San Giovanni, Ragusa, [1]. Beautifull baroque church built 1706 - 1778.edit
Old Portale di San Giorgio, Via Normanni, Ragusa Ibla. The Portale is the doorway in Gotic-Catalan style of the ancient church of San Giorgio dating to the XIV century.edit
Giardini Iblei, Ragusa Ibla. Public Gardens, half in Italian style and half in English style with three medieval churches in the park and views over the valley of the Irminio.edit
Archeological Zone, Via Giardino, Ragusa Ibla. Small archeological area with Hellenistic-Greek ruins dating to the IIIBC and Roman ruins dating IVAD.edit
Church of Santa Maria dell'Itria, Via Scale. Ragusa Ibla. Church built in XIV century in the old Jewish quarter, belonged to the knights of Malta.edit
Church of Santa Maria delle Scale, Ragusa Ibla. Church dating to the XIII century, inside it has three chapel/arches in late Gotic style.edit
Church del Purgatorio, Piazza Repubblica, Ragusa Ibla. Church XVII with Baroque portal and Bizantine walls.edit
Museo Archeologico Ibleo, Via Natalelli, Ragusa, [2]. Is divided in 6 sections. Prehystoric, Greek, Siculis arcaic, Hellenistic, Roman and collection.edit
Porta Valter - South Gate, Via Valter, Ragusa Ibla. Ancient Gate part of the medieval walls.edit
Castle of Donnafugata - Castello di Donnafugata, 12km out of town, Donnafugata, Ragusa, [3]. Castle/Palace with park.edit
Archeological Park of Kamarina, SP.102, Ragusa. At 25km from Ragusa you can find the archeological park of the Greek city of Kamarina IV.BC and its Museum.edit
Ponte Vecchio, Via Traspontino, Ragusa. Bridge also called of the 'Cappuccini'. Old bridge (1825) linking two parts of town with a series of arches.edit
Marina di Ragusa - Beach. Fine sand, clear blue water and beachvolly.edit
Explore Ragusa Ibla. Medieval town, full of narrow streets and Baroque Churches and Palaces. Since 2002 it is a Unesco World Heritage site.edit
Festivals & Special Events
Ibla Buskers, on the streets of Ragusa Ibla. Every year for one week in October the streets of Ibla get populated by street-artists from all over the world.edit
Ibla Grand Prize. Musical-Piano competition with musicians from all over the world. Concerts in the Piazzas of Ibla. June - July.edit
Melodica. Piano concerts in the churches of Ragusa. May till November.edit
For souvenirs and tipical sicilian products the Via XXV Aprile in Ragusa Ibla has many shops with all the gadgets you want to buy in Sicily and take back home.
Shopping centres. There are two in Ragusa:
Centro Commerciale Ibleo - Ipercoop, Viale delle Americhe, SP.52, Ragusa, [4]. Shopping Centreedit
Le Massarie, Via A Grandi, Ragusa, [5]. on the road for Marina di Ragusa. Shopping Centreedit
Markets
There is a market every day of the week (excluded Sundays) but it changes zone/quarter of Ragusa. The main Market is on Wednesdays next to the football stadium 'A. Campo' in Selvaggio quarter.
In Ragusa there are several hotels and many B&Bs. Out of town also a good selection of Agriturismo.
Jonio Risorgimento 49, 50 m down from the station and bus stop. Old-fashioned but well-kept. E50 for a double room with bathroom and AC. Breakfast is a croissant and a coffee at the bar.
Locanda Don Serafino Via XI Febbrao, 15, +39 0932 220065, mailto:info@locandodonseradina.it, [7]. 10 rooms with AC, bathroom, TV, safe ,in-room internet connections in mansion in Ibla. E130 for a standard room. Also have restaurant.
IL B&B IL GIARDINO DEI SOSPIRI si trova nel centro dell'antico centro storico Ibleo:
a 20 m dalla Chiesa di SAN FRANCESCO ALL'IMMACOLATA e S.Teresa Università di Lingue
a m 100 dagli affascinanti GIARDINI IBLEI all’interno dei quali sono ubicate ben 3 chiese: San Giacomo, S. Vincenzo ferreri dei PP. Domenicani e S.Agata dei PP.Cappuccini.via Dei Sospiri 24 - ang. Discesa Peschiera, email: ilgiardinodeisospiri@virgilio.it, tel: 0932651418, cell: 3332174485, fax: 0932651418 B&B IL GIARDINO DEI SOSPIRi
There is tourist information one block from the Duomo. They will give you a map of Ibla. It is not very accu
rate but necessary if you want to go outside the major roads.
