Ragusa

{{confused|Dubrovnik, historically known as Ragusa]] Ragusa is a city in Sicily, Italy. It's the provincial capital, with some 73,000 inhabitants (as of 2022). Along with 7 other nearby cities, it's a UNESCO_World_Heritage_List#Italy|UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Circolo di conversazione 268129500 2b303b8066 o - Circolo di conversazione

Ragusa Halal Travel Guide

Ragusa was part of the Grecian colony of Sicily, and later part of the Roman Byzantine empire. After several raids, in 868 AD it fell to the Muslims, who established the Emirate of Sicily. In 1090 it came under Norman rule. The area was fertile and the city grew up in the area now called Ragusa Ibla. "Hybla" means honey, and was also the name of an ancient deity.

The town was destroyed in the terrible Sicily earthquake of 1693. Most re-building was on higher ground, with Ragusa Superiore being laid out on a grid pattern on a hillside overlooking Ibla. It was constrained to the south by a deep ravine, but eventually this was bridged, and the south bank was also urbanised. Meanwhile Ibla was largely neglected except as a source of masonry. This meant the medieval street pattern was preserved, while palaces and churches were rebuilt there piecemeal in baroque style. Gradually this area too was re-populated, and the two townships grew into each other, being formally merged in 1927.

So for the visitor, most sights of interest, and the more pleasing ambience in spite of the many tour groups, are found in Ibla. Although it's described as the "lower town", it's actually on a hilltop, with the upper town peering down from a higher hilltop. Exploring Ragusa involves lots and lots of slopes and steps. The church on the saddle of land joining the two hills is dedicated to "the blessed souls in Purgatory": if those souls had limited mobility, it would have sufficed to send them to Ragusa.

The Ragusa Tourism Board Centre is close to that church, at Piazza della Repubblica and the foot of Via Aquila Sveva, which is the lane up to Ibla. 36.926318, 14.737040

There's another TIC in the piazza below Ragusa Superiore cathedral (St John the Baptist). This is in a 1960s concrete eyesore that defaces the entire square. In early 2023 it was partly fenced off because of falling cladding, so it would be a kindly storm that finished it off.

Travel to Ragusa

36.9252|14.7351 layer=W|lang=en

Buy a Flight ticket to and from Ragusa

• Aeroporto di Comiso "Pio La Torre" IATA Flight Code: CIY 36.998268, 14.607031 18 kilometers NE of Ragusa, 5 kilometers North of Comiso - Comiso Airport Aeroporto di Comiso.jpeg - Ryanair are the main operator, flying daily to Milan MXP; also to Pisa, Rome FCO, Charleroi, Dublin, London Stansted, Frankfurt HHN and Dusseldorf NRN. In summer others fly once a week to Amsterdam, Brussels BRU, Birmingham, Dusseldorf DUS and Frankfurt FRA. There is no bus service. Car rental is available.

Other airports, with wider connections across Europe, are Catania#By plane|Catania-Fontanarossa Airport (97 kilometers) and Palermo#By plane|Palermo International Airport (274 kilometers).

Book a Halal Cruise or Boat Tour in Ragusa

The nearest seaport is Pozzallo#Get in|Pozzallo, 34 kilometers south, with daily fast ferries to Malta.

By Rail

Ragusa is on a branch line, plied by a lumbering single-coach railcar. Six trains a day Monday to Sat go north to Gela (60-80 min, stops include Donnafugata) and south to Syracuse (two hours, stops include Modica, Scicli, Pozzallo, Ispica and Noto). From Gela there are connections to Palermo, and from Syracuse to Catania and Messina. No trains on Sunday.

• Stazione di Ragusa - website= Piazza Gramsci 36.919285, 14.725805 Opening from Monday to Saturday Stazione di Ragusa - The station is in the south part of R Superiore, across the ravine bridge, close to the AST bus stand. There's a ticket machine (so you must have a ticket, and validate it, before boarding) but otherwise no facilities.

Travel on a Bus in Ragusa

There are buses from Syracuse (Sicily) | Syracuse, Catania, Modica, Vittoria, Marina di Ragusa, Noto, Palermo (4 hr, €12), and Rome (SAIS Trasporti). A list of bus companies operating from Ragusa can be found on the municipal website].

Local buses (eg to Modica and Syracuse, and the shuttle to Ibla) run from the small bus stand just below the train station. Buy tickets on board or from tabachi.

Long-distance buses run from

• Terminal Bus Via Zama 36.914760, 14.721208

By car

From Catania take SS114 and turn for Lentini SS194. From there follow sign to Ragusa on the SS514.

From Siracusa take the motorway A18 and then the SS115.

From Agrigento/Gela follow the SS.115

Get Around

Panorama Ragusa Ibla - Ragusa Ibla

Halal Friendly Walking Tours in Ragusa

If you go there on foot do not follow the directions for cars but take the step streets down from Via Roma.

Travel on a Bus in Ragusa

• AST - Azienda Siciliana Trasporti - via Libertà, 15 - Day pass €2 - Provides urban transport services for the city. The main urban bus terminus is the "Nodo Zama" which is next to the intercity bus station and the "Nodo Piazza del Popolo", next to the train station. If heading towards Ibla take buses 11 and 33 (hourly to 21:00), or line 1 (on Sundays and holidays), or line 3 (at night). Bus tickets are available from various news stalls and tabachi.

Best way to travel in Ragusa by a Taxi

There is a taxi station/office at the beginning of Ragusa Ibla in Piazza della Repubblica and there are taxis at the train station in the new Ragusa.

What to See

File: Duomo San Giorgio - Duomo San Giorgio Salone circolo Ragusa - Interior of the Circolo di conversazione

Ragusa Ibla

The old city is a spectacular mix of narrow streets, steep winding steps, old churches, and fantastic views.

• Duomo di San Giorgio - Piazza Duomo 36.92640, 14.74249 West side of the square - The duomo is the heart of Ibla. The cathedral has an imposing exterior staircase. It is a jewel of baroque architecture.

• Portale di San Giorgio Via Normanni 36.92516, 14.74782 All that remains of the previous (14th-century) church of San Giorgio is this bricked-up doorway, in Gothic-Catalan style. It suggests that church was a grand affair, but its scene of Street George slaying the dragon is sadly eroded by the wind. Saint, horse and dragon are now cadaverous, and the damsel is beyond saving.

• Giardini Iblei 36.92583, 14.74853 Foot of Ibla - Restful public gardens, half in Italian style and half in English style, with views over the valley of the Irminio. With three small medieval churches: Street Jacob, Street Agata, and Street Vicenza which is an artspace.

• Scavi archeologici Ibla - Archeological Zone | Via Giardino 36.926567, 14.74770 - Small archeological area with Hellenistic-Greek ruins of Hybla dating to the 3rd century BC and Roman ruins dating to the 4th century AD.

• Chiesa di Santa Maria dell'Itria Via Scale 36.926771, 14.736277 Santa Maria dell'Itria, Ragusa Church built in 14th century in the old Yahudi quarter, belonged to the knights of Malta.

• Chiesa di Santa Maria delle Scale 36.925242, 14.735139 Santa Maria delle Scale, Ragusa Church dating to the 13th century, inside it has three chapel/arches in late Gotic style.

• Chiesa del Purgatorio - Chiesa delle Santissime Anime del Purgatorio | Piazza Repubblica 36.926434, 14.737102 Chiesa del Purgatorio, Ragusa 17th-century church with Baroque portal and Bizantine walls.

• Porta Valter Via Valter 36.925585, 14.743094 Ancient gate that is part of the medieval walls.

• Palazzo Battaglia - 36.927244, 14.744312

• Palazzo Sortino Trono - 36.926644, 14.737456

• Palazzo della Cancelleria - 36.926393, 14.735871
• Palazzo La Rocca 36.926740, 14.741745

• Palazzo Cosentini - 36.926798, 14.736507

• Palazzo Arezzo di Donnafugata Corso XXV Aprile, 9 36.926181, 14.744779 - The Baroque residence of the former owners of the Castle of Donnafugata.

• Palazzo Arezzo di Trifiletti - Palazzo Arezzo-Bertini - Corso XXV Aprile, 4 36.926161, 14.744194 Opening Hours: by a prior reservation - You wouldn't guess what's inside by its modest exterior,

• Circolo di conversazione - Conversations club | Piazza Duomo 36.92640, 14.74438 Opening Hours: by guided tours -- see #A Porte Aperte|A Porte Aperte tours below - This common example of Neo-Classical style in the region was build for aristocrats' social club. Amazingly enough it's still a private club.

Ragusa-Duomo San Giovanni - Duomo San Giovanni

Ragusa Superiore

• Duomo San Giovanni - Gothic Church of San Giovanni - Piazza San Giovanni, Ragusa 36.92550, 14.72884 A grand baroque cathedral (built 1706 - 1778) with a splendid organ.

• Palazzo Bertini Corso Italia 36.925370, 14.731861 Opening Hours: not open to the public Baroque palace

• Palazzo dell'Aquila - Town Hall | 36.925385,14.730813
• Palazzo Zacco - Via San Vito, 158 36.924420, 14.731261 Opening Hours: Tuesday to Friday 08:00-14.00 15:00-19:00, Saturday 09:00-13.00 15:00-19:00 Admission free
• Palazzo Vescovile Schininà - 36.926629, 14.728393
• Ponte dei Cappuccini - Ponte Vecchio | Via Traspontino, Ragusa 36.922990, 14.729034 - Old bridge (1825) linking two parts of town with a series of arches.

• Museo Archeologico Ibleo - Via Natalelli 36.923972, 14.727119 Opening from Monday to Saturday 09:00-18:30 Admission free Museo archeologico ibleo - Divided in 6 sections. Prehystoric, Greek, Siculis arcaic, Hellenistic, Roman and collection.

Things to Do

• Teatro Donnafugata - Via Pietro Novelli, 5 at the left side of the Palazzo Arezzo Donnafugata

• A Porte Aperte - Unlocking Doors | Corso XXV aprile/Via Pietro Novelli ticket office at the theatre of Donnafugata, next to the Circolo di Conversazione ☎ +39 366 319 4177 | Opening Hours: W-Su 11:30, 12:30, 14:30, 15:30 €10 prior booking by phone or email - Guided Tours in Ragusa by ehalal.io (email for prices) to the Circolo di Conversazione and the theatre of Donnafugata and the garden of Palazzo Arezzo-Bertini. Approx. 50 min, in Italian/English.

• There is a project to convert the old railway-line running north past Chiaramonte Gulfi and to Vizzini (the track is already gone) into a bicycle-track.

Events

• Ibla Buskers | on the streets of Ragusa Ibla - Every year for one week in October the streets of Ibla get populated by street-artists from all over the world.

• Ibla Grand Prize - Musical-Piano competition with live musicians from all over the world. Concerts in the Piazzas of Ibla. June - July.

• Melodica | - Piano concerts in the churches of Ragusa. May till November.

• Festival Organistico
• Estate Iblea | Ragusa and Marina di Ragusa

Religious events

• Festa di San Giovanni | Piazza San Giovanni, Ragusa
• Festa di San Giorgio | Piazza Duomo, Ragusa Ibla
• Maria SS di Porto Salvo | Marina di Ragusa procession with the statue of the Virgin Mary sailing on a boat in front of Marina di Ragusa. August.

Muslim Friendly Shopping in Ragusa

High-streets

• The main are Via Roma and Corso Italia.
• For souvenirs and typical Sicilian products the Via XXV Aprile in Ragusa Ibla has many shops with all the gadgets you want to buy in Sicily and take back home.

Shopping centres. There are two in Ragusa:

• Centro Commerciale Ibleo - Ipercoop - Viale delle Americhe, SP.52, Ragusa - Shopping centre.

• Le Massarie - Via A Grandi, Ragusa on the road for Marina di Ragusa. Shopping centre.

Markets

There is a market every day of the week (excluded Sundays) but it changes zone/quarter of Ragusa. The main Market is on Wednesdays next to the football stadium 'A. Campo' in Selvaggio quarter.

• Mondays
• Tuesday
• Wednesdays | Contrada Selvaggio - Main market of Ragusa, next o the football stadium.

• Thursdays | Via A. De Gasperi. - Market, off Viale Europa.

• Fridays | Piazza Tamanaco - Location: off Via Archimede.

• Saturdays | Via P.S. Mattarella. - Location: at the end of Viale Napoleone Colajanni.

Halal Restaurants in Ragusa

• Ai Lumi - Corso 25 Aprile, 16 36.926076, 14.744428 one block downhill from Doumo in R Ibla ☎ +39 0932 621 224 - Opening from Monday to Saturday 12:00-15:00, 19:00-22:00 - Good simple menu, quality uneven.

• La Bettola - Largo Camerina 7, Ragusa Ibla 36.926893, 14.744068 from Duomo follow Conte Cabrera, turn right ☎ +39 0932 653 394 | Opening Hours: W-Su 13:30-14:30 & 19:30-22:00; Tuesday 19:30-22:00 - Good down-home Sicilian cooking.

• Cucina & Vino - Via Orfanotrofio, 91 Ragusa Ibla 36.927223, 14.744562 - +39 0932 686 447 | Opening Hours: Daily 12:00-15:00, 19:30-23:00 - Good economical Sicilian cooking. Fast food it's not, so relax and enjoy.

• U Saracinu Ristorante - Via Convento, 9 Ragusa Ibla one block below Piazza Duomo ☎ +39 0932 246 976 - Restaurant & pizzeria, friendly staff, mixed reviews for quality of food.

• Duomo Ristorante - Via Capitano Bocchieri 31, R Ibla just West of Piazza Duomo ☎ +30 0932 651 265 | Opening Hours: Tuesday - Saturday 12:30-14:00, 19:30-23:30; Monday 19:30-23:30 - Upmarket restaurant with 2 Michelin stars, booking crucial.

• Quattro Gatti Via Valverde 95 opposite Ibla Gardens ☎ +39 0932 245 612 - Opening from Monday to Saturday 20:00-23:30 - Sicilian cuisine with a Slovakian twist.

Most pubs are in Ragusa Ibla (old town) or in Marina di Ragusa (sea-town).

• The Jester Pub | Viale Europa, Ragusa - Great pub and live music. Open Sept - June

• Puglesi, Via Dante 94, +39 0932 686046. Bar at the bus stop, open late.

eHalal Group Launches Halal Guide to Ragusa

Ragusa - eHalal Travel Group, a leading provider of innovative Halal travel solutions for Muslim travelers to Ragusa, is thrilled to announce the official launch of its comprehensive Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Ragusa. This groundbreaking initiative aims to cater to the diverse needs of Muslim travelers, offering them a seamless and enriching travel experience in Ragusa and its surrounding regions.

With the steady growth of Muslim tourism worldwide, eHalal Travel Group recognizes the importance of providing Muslim travelers with accessible, accurate, and up-to-date information to support their travel aspirations to Ragusa. The Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide is designed to be a one-stop resource, offering an array of invaluable information on various travel aspects, all carefully curated to align with Islamic principles and values.

The Travel Guide encompasses a wide range of features that will undoubtedly enhance the travel experience for Muslim visitors to Ragusa. Key components include:

Halal-Friendly Accommodations inRagusa: A carefully selected list of hotels, lodges, and vacation rentals that cater to halal requirements, ensuring a comfortable and welcoming stay for Muslim travelers in Ragusa.

Halal Food, Restaurants and Dining in Ragusa: A comprehensive directory of restaurants, eateries, and food outlets offering halal-certified or halal-friendly options in Ragusa, allowing Muslim travelers to savor local cuisines without compromising their dietary preferences in Ragusa.

Prayer Facilities: Information on masjids, prayer rooms, and suitable locations for daily prayers in Ragusa, ensuring ease and convenience for Muslim visitors in fulfilling their religious obligations.

Local Attractions: An engaging compilation of Muslim-friendly attractions, cultural sites such as Museums, and points of interest in Ragusa, enabling travelers to explore the city's rich heritage while adhering to their values.

Transport and Logistics: Practical guidance on transportation options that accommodate Muslim travel needs, ensuring seamless movement within Ragusa and beyond.

Speaking about the launch, Irwan Shah, Chief Technology Officer of eHalal Travel Group in Ragusa, stated, "We are thrilled to introduce our Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide in Ragusa, a Muslim friendly destination known for its cultural richness and historical significance. Our goal is to empower Muslim travelers with accurate information and resources, enabling them to experience the wonders of Ragusa without any concerns about their faith-based requirements. This initiative reaffirms our commitment to creating inclusive and memorable travel experiences for all our clients."

The eHalal Travel Group's Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Ragusa is now accessible on this page. The guide will be regularly updated to ensure that Muslim travelers have access to the latest information, thus reinforcing its status as a reliable companion for Muslim travelers exploring Ragusa.

About eHalal Travel Group:

eHalal Travel Group Ragusa is a prominent name in the global Muslim travel industry, dedicated to providing innovative and all-inclusive travel solutions tailored to the needs of Muslim travelers worldwide. With a commitment to excellence and inclusivity, eHalal Travel Group aims to foster a seamless travel experience for its clients while respecting their religious and cultural values.

For Halal business inquiries in Ragusa, please contact:

eHalal Travel Group Ragusa Media: info@ehalal.io

Muslim Friendly Hotels

In Ragusa there are several hotels and many B&Bs. Out of town there is a good selection of agriturismi.

• B&B Il Giardino dei Sospiri - Via dei Sospiri, 24 at foot of R Ibla near Piazza Chiaramonte and gardens ☎ +39 0932 651 418 - €24-40 - Charming B&B with garden

• Terra del sole Ibla B&B - Corso Giuseppe Mazzini 218b on saddle of hill between R Ibla and R Superiore: take bus 11 ☎ +39 333 682 1202 - single €35, double €55 - Rooms with bathroom, air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, good breakfast (included), beautiful view. A few free parking spaces in front of the B&B.

• Locanda Don Serafino - Via XI Febbrao, 15 North slope of R Ibla near saddle of hill ☎ +39 0932 220 065 - €130 for a standard room - Boutique 4-star mansion with 10 rooms with AC, bathroom, TV, safe, in-room internet connections. Also has a restaurant.

• Sanvito Hostel - Via San Vito 176, 97100 Ragusa (Italy) ☎ +39 345 723 9849 - 20€ - Hostel, shared rooms.

Travel Next

• Castello di Donnafugata - 12km out of town, next to the train station Donnafugata, albeit the train schedule is not particularly convinient; perhaps a better option is a connection by bus 36.881981, 14.564148 - +39 0932 619333 | Opening Hours: Tuesday Thursday Sunday 09:00-13:00 14:45-16:15, Wednesday to Friday Saturday 09:00-12:45 €8 Donnafugata Castle - Castle villa with a park. Most of its current Neo-Classical and Neo-Gothic appearance belongs to the 19th century. Currently it's owned by the state. The terrace of the castle and the park were filmed in several scenes of the TV series Inspector Montalbano.

• Museo regionale di Kamarina - Archeological Park of Kamarina - S.P. 102 Km.1 C.da Cammarana-Ragusa 36.872231, 14.447547 25 kilometers from Ragusa Opening from Monday to Saturday 09:00-13:30 €4 - Kamarina, Sicily Archeological park of the Greek city of Kamarina IV. BC and a museum.

• Marina di Ragusa - 36.783382, 14.554503 - Enjoy beaches with fine sand, clear blue water and beach volleyball.

• The other baroque towns and UNESCO World Heritage sites are Modica 15 kilometers, Scicli 25 kilometers, Noto 55km, Caltagirone 59 kilometers, Piazza Armerina 88 kilometers, and Pantalica 54 km. Modica is the most substantial.
• Syracuse is a must-see.

Copyright 2015 - 2024. All Rights reserved by eHalal Group Co., Ltd.
To Advertise or sponsor this Travel Guide, please visit our Media Kit and Advertising Rates.