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One of nature’s victims from the 1693 earthquake is a fascinating Sicilian town named Ragusa. The cataclysm killed 5000 inhabitants and destroyed the entire settlement.

Nowadays, an overlook over the town may create the impression of a mediaeval architectural cluster, but once you go further into the town’s heart, the Baroque design becomes more obvious. Subsequent to 1693, Ragusa joined all the other damaged towns into the reconstruction process mainly based on the prevalent style those times, the Baroque logic.

At a closer look into history’s annals, a radical demographic separation can be observed. In 1693, opinions on the location of the reconstruction were basically divided. Therefore, the town ended up split in two. Ragusa Superiore has always been dominated by aristocratic citizens, while Ragusa Ibla was built on the original site and is inhabited by the other half of the population. Until 1926, Ragusa remained divided. Subsequently, it became chief town of the province.

Both the upper and the lower side enjoy their share of architectural delights, although tourists seem to be more attracted to the older town. Ragusa Ibla hosts a large range of Baroque tokens. Rosario Gagliardi was the architect who designed the Cathedral of San Giorgio, by this means attempting to substitute the ancient temple destroyed in 1693. Of the former edifice, only a Catalan-Gothic portal still remains. A Neoclassical dome from 1820 crowns the cathedral and sends clear invitation to discovery.

A hybrid Baroque-Gothic building is highly interesting. Due to the earthquake, half of the edifice had to be restored, but the other half survived as the ancient jewel of Church of Santa Maria delle Scale (Saint Mary of the Steps). The Church of San’Antonio brings a Norman blow exemplified by a Gothic portal. The Hyblean Garden is the key point if you wish to enjoy the scenery of Church of the Cappuccini Vecchi, Church of Saint James (14th century) and Church San Domenico. Also, the beautiful Zacco Palace imposes itself through its Corinthian columns.

On the other side, the upper town is marked by the conqueror Cathedral of San Giovanni Battista, built between 1718 and 1778. The façade confirms the southern Sicilian Baroque style and it shelters the resting place of portals, carvings and sculptures that represent the Madonna, St. John the Baptist and St. John the Evangelist. The dome of the cathedral dates from 1783 and in the 20th century it received copper-sheets covers. On this side of Ragusa a Hyblean Archaeological Museum is the devoted bearer of Prehistoric to Late Roman discoveries.

A long journey can run its course through the diverse architectural styles that make Ragusa such a fascinating place. Also, noteworthy are the subtle differences between upper and lower inhabitants. The present tacit separation reveals its effects in a subtle manner which may become the topic of an interesting sociological research in this southern Sicilian town.