THE COURSE

The route winds through narrow streets and alleys that characterize the historic center of Ragusa Ibla and lead us to the discovery of buildings and squares that are the protagonists of the cult of the patron saint of the Ragusa city: San Giorgio. Starting from the splendid Ibleo Garden, a balcony over the wide Irminio valley, the itinerary takes the visitor to discover the portal of San Giorgio, one of the most famous symbols of the city of Ragusa, in Gothic-Catalan architectural style, which collapsed due to the massive earthquake of 1693, and which is wedged between two buildings of 1800 and protected by an iron gate, the monastery of Santa Maria in Valverde, today the church of San Tommaso, of very ancient origins and rebuilt after the earthquake of 1693. The its foundation probably dates back to the 12th century. Once in Piazza Duomo, visitors can see the scenic bulk of the church dedicated to San Giorgio designed by the Syracusan architect Rosario Gagliardi. Inside, the niche where the processional wooden statue is kept, depicting St. George, an object of city worship, in the act of killing the dragon. The route allows you to visit the museum of the cathedral of San Giorgio which is located right in the rooms adjacent to the church and partly in the old rectory. Its path winds through a series of environments rich in architectural pre-existing structures that were in the more recent past used as rooms for the canons. The last stop is piazza della Repubblica (ancient piazza degli Archi) where the church of the Santissime Anime del Purgatorio is located, built in the mid-seventeenth century, which becomes the protagonist on the occasion of the first day of celebration in honor of San Giorgio. The church was rebuilt after the earthquake of 1693 which left it almost unscathed.

USEFUL INFORMATION AND CONTACTS

Equipment: comfortable shoes, water, hat, camera.

LOGISTICS INFO OF THE ITINERARY:

HOW TO GET:

The route develops within the historic center of Ragusa Ibla. The starting point of the itinerary is the free public parking located north of the Hyblean Garden. The point is easily reachable both from Catania airport, through the E45, SS194, SS 514, SP 52 in about 1 hour and 39 minutes, and from Comiso airport, through the SP 82, SP 7, SS 514, SP 52 in about 35 minutes.