35. RAGUSA SUPERIORE AND RAGUSA IBLA BY DAY

35. RAGUSA SUPERIORE AND RAGUSA IBLA BY DAY.

Ragusa is made up of two halves. Ragusa Superiore and Ragusa Ibra the old town. 

After the earthquake in 1698 it virtually destroyed the old town so they built the new town on the cliff above the old town. However many of the Nobles and Patriarchs of Ragusa Ibla did not want to move from their heritage so they decided to rebuild their palaces and stately homes in the old town, Whereas the new town of Ragusa is built with grid like crossings between straight streets Ragusa Ibla has narrow windy streets with others leading off to unsure destinations. They say if you have not got lost in Ragusa Ibla at some time or other then you will not be able to appreciate the full attractiveness of the town. The two towns are separated by over 300 steps. 

Ragusa Ibla by day

 The best view of the whole of Ragusa Ibla is from the steps of the 15th Century Church of Santa Maria delle Scale. 

Ragusa Ibla 

Ragusa Ibla from outside the Church of Santa Maria della Scale

Steps and steps everywhere.  Lesley was brave enough to count the number of steps we climbed down and therefore UP! 

                                                               318 STEPS 

                                        

An old alleyway going nowhere. 

A restaurant at the bottom of the steps. A welcome place for a Granita

A granita is a water ice of various flavours - like lemon or almond. Don't have the almond it was like eating iced marzipan. 

Walking through the town you realise the benefits of having the houses so close with the narrow streets - shade!

 

But it does make it difficult for taking photos of some of the wonderful houses. Even the Palaces in these streets are difficult to photograph. One of the wonderful things to photograph were the gargoyles supporting the balconies. Whereas in Ragusa Superiore the supports for the balconies were not particularly ornate in Ragusa Ibla; well what do you think.

Ornate balconies of the Palazzo La Rocca. It is worth zooming in on these characters particularly the two on the right. The top one looks as if he is being strangled while the lower one seems to be wearing glasses!!

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Here is a close up of the gentleman wearing the glasses

Playing the flute and the other two don't look particularly happy.

In this picture the one on the left looks like he is crying probably from the sound coming from the mandolin being played next to him. 

This balcony shows two lions or monsters blowing fire - I think?
Whereas the central figure looks like a mother and child.

This balcony has two cherubs playing or fighting and the middle figure looks like a gentleman refusing the advances of a lady. 

The gentleman in the centre maybe playing some ancient bagpipe but the two cherubs seem happy enough.

The dome of the Duomo di San Giorgio overlooking one of the narrow streets

  

The dome seen from a different angle.

 

Part of the Interior of the Duomo di San Giorgio

The shield of the Knights of St John depicted with drums and weapons below a rather gruesome stain glass window depicting a beheading of some poor unfortunate martyr. 

Stain glass depicting The garden of Gethsemane

The magnificent sculptured shapes of the dome of the Duomo

As seen from directly below the dome

St Peter with the Keys in a stain glass window surrounded with evening light.

The exterior of the Duomo di San Giorgio

A wonderful example of a Palace in it's own grounds away from the town,

The main Piazza of Ragusa Ibla showing the Duomo at the end. We come back to Montalbano as this Piazza was used in many of the episodes of the TV series. 

A wonderful archway which was difficult to photograph. There are 3 CCTV cameras on the right and 7 road signs. Pity.

A beautiful fountain at the lower end of the Piazza made famous in the Montalbano TV series. 

The lower end of the Piazza frequently in the TV series 

An elegant lady resting in the shade in the midday sun.

This building below was the Conversation Club.  I am not sure what qualifications you needed to join but probably one was being Italian. I believe the art of conversation was invented by the Italians and I am sure this club was part of the heritage. Conversation involves not only speaking rapidly and with a louder voice but with active gestures by raising the hands or even the arms to emphasise the many points. I do not believe an Italian can speak without gesticulating. It is impossible. The art of conversation was probably well honed in this club. 

The Title  - The Conversation Club

How do you take a photo of this beautiful Church?

With great difficulty!

Lesley walking in the shade

The view of the landscape a short distance from Ragusa Ibla 

                               

           We now had to climb up the 318 steps to get the car.