Tourist attractions Ispica

Built in 1818, the flight of nearly 300 steps leads up to the church’s elegant façade , a grandiose and richly evocative ensemble attributed to Rosario Gagliardi (though the involvement of other Noto architects is also evident) and one of the finest..

The hub of the Baroque centre is Corso Vittorio Emanuele III , which widens into three squares bordered by huge Baroque churches. On Piazza Immacolata stands San Francesco all'Immacolata, the cathedral (the cupola and much of the central nave co..

Beyond the cathedral’s broad façade flanked by two attractive bell towers may be seen the remains of its dome, which collapsed in 1996 at the same time as a large part of the nave. A wide staircase in front of the building is flanked by two raised pl..

In the district of Larderia (rich in water) there are late Christian catacombs (464 sepulchres) before you see the "dead grottos" (Grotte Cadute). This is because as you visit the cave dwellings on several levels, the only way to move fro..

Collections of farming implements, tools and workmen’s objects are exhibited in reconstructions of stalls, studios and shops: farmer, beekeeper, blacksmith, cobbler, tailor, baker, wheelwright and barber live again before visitors’ eyes.

This is the most impressive and liveliest of the three squares; it is bordered to the left by the Ducezio palace and on the right, flanked by two attractive raised platforms with steps, by the winding cathedral staircase. On the east side stands the ..

This elegant church is decorated with very beautiful 18C stuccos depicting biblical scenes by G. Gianforma.

Built by Ernesto Basile , this palace is an true jewel of the Liberty style, the Italian equivalent of Art nouveau. Today it accommodates Ispica's town hall.

With the exedra portico by Vincenzo Sinatra the Church forms a very beautiful architectural ensemble . Inside the church there is a beautiful Rococo-inspired cycle of frescoes by Olivio Sozzi . In the chapel to the left of the transept is the can..

This plateau was fortified and remodelled as a true Citadel incorporating the Marchionale palace, some rooms of which have retained their fired and painted limestone paving tiles. The small fort accommodated a few churches including the Annunziata (i..

Bare and peppered with dry stonewalls, this plateau was once populated and centred upon the Byzantine church of San Pancrati; visitors will see its ruins. A bit further on, note the tomb with false pillars and two entrances that give access into the ..

The church is worth a detour for the attractive Cabrera chapel , with an elegant 15C portal in front of it. In the nave, there are 60 terracotta statues in an attractive crib scene from the 19C by G. Papale.

The small church with a single nave is carved into the rock. Its apse is decorated with Byzantine style frescoes in very lively colours from the Norman era. The Christ Pantocrator is surrounded by the Virgin and Child and by the Archangel St Michel. ..

Rebuilt after the earthquake, it stands at the top of a staircase decorated with twelve attractive statues of the Apostles which underline the beauty of the facade.

This 19C church with a Baroque facade is also located atop a great staircase... The steps give access to the belvedere del Pizzo from which there is an attractive view over the town, especially over the Jewish quarter (il Cartellone) and over the d..

The church has an attractive facade of three orders punctuated by columns. Inside there is a nativity scene from the 18C, by the Neapolitan artist, Pietro Padula. It is made up of 29 wooden statues in especially carefully done costumes.

The square is flanked by the chiesa madre S. Ignazio which contains the statue of the Madonna of the Troops who fought at the side of Roger I, leading him to victory over the Saracens. Further on is the Beneventano palace which is a magnificen..

The street brings together the attractive Baroque facades of palaces and of three churches. There is the church of San Giovanni Evangelista . The Church is built on an elliptical plan and has an attractive sinuous facade. The Spadaro palace was bu..

This square is dominated by the elegant curving façade of the church of San Domenico by Gagliardi. Its vigorous lines are accentuated by the upswept columns which bring together the two orders separated by a high cornice. In front of the church is ..

Punctuated by three squares, each with its own church, this is the main street in Noto. It starts at Porta Reale, a monumental 19C triumphal arch surmounted by a pelican and on either side a tower (symbolising power) and a greyhound (symbolising fide..