Tie the Knot Among Sicily’s Jewels

When it comes to autumn honeymoon destinations, few places capture the Baroque spirit better than Ragusa Ibla, the southernmost town on the Italian peninsula. In 2002, UNESCO recognized eighteen sites here as World Heritage treasures. For any couple planning a visit, Ragusa Ibla is a gem—nestled as if nature itself sought to preserve it in the farthest reaches of the Iblean hills.

Romans, Greeks, Byzantines, Arabs—all have left their mark on this land, and their successive dominations shaped every alley and avenue. That was the case until the earthquake of 1693, which effectively split the town in two. Some residents took refuge atop the promontory on Patro Hill; others rebuilt on the original site. Even today, the name “Ibla”—or its local nickname “lusu”—refers to the oldest, most picturesque part of the historic center.

The ornate facades and grand staircases of Ragusa Ibla overwhelm visitors with their Baroque charisma. Start at the Church of Santa Maria dell’Itria, once part of the Jewish quarter known as the Cartellone and affiliated with the Knights of Malta—though its origins are likely Byzantine. Inside, precious frescoes abound; outside, its campanile is clad in Caltagirone’s floral majolica tiles, a true emblem of local craftsmanship. From there, wander to the Church of the Holy Souls of Purgatory on Piazza della Repubblica, then to San Giuseppe in Piazza Pola, just steps from the Town Hall.

Don’t miss the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, miraculously rebuilt in just four months after the turmoil of 1963, or Santa Maria delle Scale. The modest Old Capuchin church and convent now even include a boutique hotel wing.

Fifty-four steps lead you to the Duomo of San Giorgio. Erected in the 1700s atop the remains of a church dedicated to St. Nicholas, it’s Ragusa’s most iconic landmark. Its richly decorated facade features the Clock Tower, the crowning touch of the town center.

Look up to admire the balconies of Palazzo La Rocca and its sweeping double-ramp staircase, glimpsed from the entrance hall. Nearby, the Liberty-style gallery inside the 16th-century Palazzo Arezzo di San Filippo evokes Renaissance grandeur. The Teatro Donnafugata, dating to the early 19th century, boasts such perfect acoustics that in 2006 it was named one of Eurispes’s “100 Italian Excellences.” And the Catalan-Gothic Portal of San Giorgio, with its relief of the saint slaying a dragon, even highlights rare traditional crafts—among them, the nearly extinct honey seller.

A secluded piazzetta off Via del Convento opens onto one of Ragusa’s most breathtaking viewpoints. Below, the Giardino Ibleo, created in 1858, spans over 15,000 square meters of Mediterranean flora. Its Boschetto della Rimembranza and the churches within—like San Giacomo, built on the ruins of the Temple of Lucina, goddess of fertility—add layers of history and natural beauty to this green oasis.

If all that isn’t enough, strolling Ragusa’s winding streets feels like stepping into a funhouse of mirrors: here, Ragusa becomes Vigata, the Duomo of San Giorgio transforms into a setting straight from Andrea Camilleri’s novels, and the Circolo di Conversazione takes on new life under Montalbano’s keen eye. Even La Rusticana bows out, replaced on screen by Da Calogero, the inspector’s favorite restaurant.

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