Villa with private pool in Ispica, Sicily, Italy for 8 persons
Ispica is a town in south-eastern Sicily, located in the free municipal consortium of Ragusa, a few kilometres from the sea. Its history is very ancient, and its testimonies are visible both in the urban centre and in the Forza archaeological park, where the traces of ancient Ispra can be found, destroyed by the 1693 earthquake. In this article, we propose an itinerary to discover what to see in Ispica, including monuments, churches, palaces and caves. In this definitive guide, we will discover what to see in Ispica through an urban and natural itinerary. You will also discover the best beaches in the Ragusa area, just a stone's throw from the town centre, the festivals and where Ispica is located.
The urban centre of Ispica is located on a hill called "Calandra", on a slight slope 36 km from Ragusa and 7 km from the sea. A locality known above all for its Archaeological Park, it is however worth a visit for its monuments. The urban structure, created ex novo after the post-seismic reconstruction and the destruction of the ancient town, is regular, characterised by an eighteenth-century road layout, with wide and straight avenues
The urban itinerary begins on Via XX Settembre with the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore, continues along Corso Umberto with the Town Hall, and concludes at the Sanctuary and Convent of Carmine. From Via XX Settembre, you reach the scenic square of the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, bordered by a fine elliptical portico, a connecting element between the church and the surrounding town. The complex, designed by architect Vincenzo Sinatra, has been repeatedly chosen as a location for auteur cinema. The interior of the basilica is considered unique in the province for the perfect blend of architecture, stucco, gilding, and frescoes; the latter, executed between 1763 and 1765 by Olivio Sozzi, depict the Triumph of the Sacrament of the Eucharist in the central vault and the Apotheosis of the Church in the dome.
Continuing along Via XX Settembre, you'll reach Sinatra's Loggia, a semi-elliptical structure that borders the square in front of the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore. The loggia, designed by architect Vincenzo Sinatra between 1750 and 1761, is inspired by Bernini's colonnade at St. Peter's, with twenty-six openings. The loggia acts as a link between the church and the surrounding town, creating a scenic and harmonious effect. The loggia has also been used as a film location, for example in Vittorio De Sica's film "The Voyage," with Sophia Loren a great example of cinematic art in Sicily. In addition to films, the loggia has become famous for some scenes in the series "Inspector Montalbano" and the TV adaptation of other novels by Andrea Camilleri, set in the fictional city of Vigata.
From the Basilica square, you can reach the church of San Bartolomeo, the mother church of Ispica, which overlooks Piazza Unità d'Italia near the clock tower. The church, built after the 1693 earthquake, rises on a double staircase that gives it momentum and elegance. The two-tiered facade combines late-Baroque elements with neoclassical elements. The central bronze portal invites you to enter the church, and is the work of the sculptor Pirrone from Noto. On the portal are depicted episodes from the life of San Corrado Confalonieri, patron saint of Noto. Above the portal, you can admire the coat of arms of the Statella family, which later became the coat of arms of the city of Ispica. The interior of the church is divided into three naves, with pavilion chapels.
Leaving the piazza, along the left side of the Mother Church begins Corso Umberto, where the Palazzo Bruno di Belmonte is located. The current City Hall is considered one of the most interesting Art Nouveau buildings in Sicily, the work of the famous architect Ernesto Basile. Very interesting for its decorative lines and its grandeur, it presents itself as a castle with corner towers, dentil decorations, majolica panels and wrought iron railings.
Going back to Piazza Maria Josè, take Corso Garibaldi on the left where you'll find the Church of the Santissima Annunziata, built between 1704 and 1720. The interior is a must-see, decorated with one of the most complete cycles of stucco in the Ragusa area, executed by Giuseppe Gianforma as a monochrome with a blue background and scenes from the Old and New Testaments.
The urban itinerary concludes with the sanctuary and convent of Carmine, located in an isolated district of the city, known as Cozzo Carmine, bordered by the two valleys of Cava Grande and Cava del Tuono. The sanctuary and convent date back to 1534, but were rebuilt after the 1693 earthquake, thanks to funds from Marquis Andrea Statella. The sanctuary is dedicated to Our Lady of Carmel, patron saint of the city since 1985. The facade of the church is simple, with a portal decorated with late-Renaissance bas-reliefs, probably recovered from the previous building. In the niche above the portal, the statue of Our Lady of Carmel is preserved. Among the works of art present, the mausoleum of the Venerable Statella, founder of the Syracuse Carmelite reform, is noteworthy.
Ispica is also nature. The city is in fact surrounded by a territory rich in landscape and historical beauties, which deserve a visit. Among the most interesting natural attractions, we can mention:
Cava d'Ispica is a natural canyon of approximately 13 km, carved by the Busaitone river. The canyon is a place of great archaeological, historical and cultural interest, as it hosts numerous sites and testimonies from various eras and civilisations. Among the most famous caves, we can mention the Grotta dei Santi, with Byzantine frescoes from the 9th-10th century, the Grotta della Signora, with remains of a prehistoric village, and the Necropolis of Baravitalla, with rock tombs from the Sicanian and Greek periods.
After visiting the urban centre, an excursion to the Forza Archaeological Park is a must. It is located on the ancient rocky acropolis at the entrance to Cava d'Ispica. The site can be reached by leaving Ispica along the Barriera, a winding road flanked by rocky walls in which numerous caves are carved, some of which are still in use. This natural acropolis, "Fortilitium d'Ispica," is an extraordinary rock phenomenon: on the esplanade of the rocky spur, ancient Ispra was born, called "Ispicae Fundus" by the Romans and Spaccaforno in the Middle Ages. The park contains many testimonies of the various historical and cultural phases from the Bronze Age until 1693, the year in which the earthquake destroyed the city, which was then rebuilt on the current hill.
Among the most interesting phases, we have those from the Renaissance period, such as the remains of the "Palazzo Marchionale" with paved rooms, defensive works and some elements of the floor of the Church of the Annunciation, with burials carved into the living rock. Also very interesting is the tunnel of the hundred steps that descends below the valley floor level, and numerous living and service areas carved into the living rock. One cave is used as an Antiquarium.
Visiting Ispica is also synonymous with food and wine culture and exploring the surrounding area. In this section, we will recommend some experiences to try:
If you are looking for a trekking adventure in Sicily that allows you to immerse yourself in nature and discover the local history, you cannot miss the Cava d'Ispica and the Ispica Water Mill. Immerse yourself in the verdant canyon that connects the outskirts of Modica to Ispica, admiring the rock dwellings and the Sican castle, and taste the typical products in the comfortable refuge.
If you are looking for a unique and unforgettable experience, a few kilometres from Ispica you will have the opportunity to visit the Pantani Cuba and Longarini, two wetlands of extraordinary beauty and ecological importance, located between the provinces of Ragusa and Syracuse. Here you can admire a rich variety of birds, including pink flamingos, marbled ducks and many others, who find refuge and nourishment in these brackish lagoons. Birdwatching, or observing birds in nature, is a relaxing, educational and fun activity that will allow you to get in touch with nature and appreciate its biodiversity. To practise birdwatching, you will need good equipment, consisting of binoculars, camera, telescope, ornithological guide and appropriate clothing. You can also avail yourself of the guidance of experts and local associations, who will accompany you along the paths and provide you with useful information and curiosities.
Ispica is a town that knows how to celebrate its faith and tradition with various patron saint festivals and other events throughout the year. Among the most important festivals, we can mention:
Among the other events that enliven the town, we can mention:
Ispica, although inland, is not far from the sea, and shares a coastline with Pachino and Pozzallo, of about 13 km, where fine and golden sandy beaches alternate with low and jagged cliffs, hidden coves and nature reserves. In this paragraph, we present some of the most beautiful and evocative beaches you can find around Ispica.