Ragusa - San Giorgio

A short way along Via Mercato, turn right into Via 11 Febbraio and first left into Via Distefano/Via Cap Bochieri is the route to the Piazza del Duomo with the church of San Giorgio. It was built in 1744-75 to plans drawn up by Rosario Gagliardi, and his designs are preserved in the sacristy. It is one of his finest works and also, like the church of San Giorgio in nearby Mädica, a particularly beautiful example of Sicilian Baroque architecture. Standing proudly at the top of the wide steps, its convex central section with the main doorway is flanked by three pillars on each side. The pillars continue up to the floor above, from which the tower-like, richly sculptured bell-tower reaches up into the sky. The high tambour-dome above the crossing was not added until 1820. In the triple-aisled interior will be found an altarpiece by Vito d'Anna (1720-69), "The Glory of St Nicolas".