Ragusa: The Island Within an Island – Sicily's Baroque Masterpiece

🏰 A City Between Two Worlds Perched on a limestone plateau cleft by deep valleys, Ragusa is called "the island within Sicily"—its history, art, and economy distinct from the rest of the island. As the "final flourish of European Baroque", it dazzles with: Ragusa Superiore: The "new town" on the plateau, rebuilt after the 1693 earthquake Ragusa Ibla: The ancient heart (founded 2nd century BC), painstakingly restored by nobles atop ruins 🌉 Iconic Landmarks 1️⃣ Duomo di San Giorgio (1739-1781) Architect: Rosario Gagliardi (Baroque genius post-earthquake) Highlights: Catalan-Gothic meets Neoclassical dome (Figs. 6-7) Serassi’s monumental pipe organ (largest by the famed workshop) Facade: A 36-year labor of love, completed in 1775 2️⃣ The Three Bridges Ponte Vecchio (Old Bridge) Ponte Nuovo (New Bridge) Ponte Papa Giovanni XXIII Spanning the San Domenica Valley, these form a dramatic silhouette. ⚡ Why It’s Unique ✔️ 2km ancient walls still encircle Ibla’s labyrinthine lanes ✔️ Dual identity: Ibla’s time-worn charm vs. Superiore’s planned elegance ✔️ UNESCO praise: "The late Baroque’s most poetic urban experiment" #Ragusa #SicilianBaroque #WorldHeritage