Santa Maria delle Scale, Ragusa, Italy

Santa Maria delle Scale was built by the Cistercian monks of the Abbey of Santa Maria di Roccadia in Lentini, in the first half of the 13th century, in a Gothic style. In the second half of the 18th century, because of the increase of the population, the building was enlarged and largely rebuilt in a Baroque style.

References:

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Religious sites in Italy

User Reviews

Martin Amice (2 years ago)
Authentic and beautiful

Yoss Valensi (2 years ago)
Amazing views

Derek Wong (2 years ago)
Fantastic views from the top.

Edel Mifsud (3 years ago)
Not very much decorated but still nice

emdjed islem (3 years ago)
Divine and great view over the baroque city of Ragusa, one of the best old cities in Sicily. Walked a lot to reach it but that worth the effort. I strongly recommend it this UNESCO heritage (since 2002).

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Photo from Flickr, copyright Andrea Schaffer

Historic Site of the week

Late Baroque Town of Ragusa

The eight towns in south-eastern Sicily, including Ragusa, were all rebuilt after 1693 on or beside towns existing at the time of the earthquake which took place in that year. They represent a considerable collective undertaking, successfully carried out at a high level of architectural and artistic achievement. Keeping within the late Baroque style of the day, they also depict distinctive innovations in town planning and urban building. Together with seven other cities in the Val di Noto, it is part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

In 1693 Ragusa was devastated by a huge earthquake, which killed some 5,000 inhabitants. Following this catastrophe the city was largely rebuilt, and many Baroque buildings from this time remain in the city. Most of the population moved to a new settlement in the former district of Patro, calling this new municipality 'Ragusa Superiore' (Upper Ragusa) and the ancient city 'Ragusa Inferiore' (Lower Ragusa). The two cities remained separated until 1926, when they were fused together to become a provincial capital in 1927.

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Late Baroque Town of Ragusa

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