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 Ragusa
(258 km from Ragusa; 68,000 inhabitants; 502 m. a. s. l.; zip code
97100; area code 0932) is the chief town of the province and an
interesting place for both geographical aspect and artistic and
historic heritage.
 Set
on a wide calcareous hill in the middle of two deep valleys (called
Quarries of San Leonardo and Santa Domenica), Ragusa is divided
in two distinct areas: Ragusa Ibla (lower side) and Ragusa (upper
side), separated by the "bridges valley", a deep ravine
crossed by successive four bridges, of which that known as the bridge
of the "Cappuccini" (order of friars), dating the 18th
century, is worth-mentioning.
The
differentiated urban architecture and structure witnesses a past
of very intense seismic activity. After the by now famous 1693 earthquake
the town was re-founded on the old Ibla, which represents today,
in its medieval design, yet baroque in appearance, and with impressive
churches and palazzi, the historical centre of the town.
The
new centre stands on a modern framework of straight, parallel and
large streets, intersecting at right angles to each other.
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