Ragusa - Santa Maria delle Scale

At the end of the Corso Italia in Ragusa stands the church of Santa Maria delle Scale, named after the scala, or flight of steps, which leads from here down to the Lower Town. When it was rebuilt in the 18th century the church retained parts of the former 15th century Late Gothic building, such as the bell-tower and, inside, the portal-like opening to a side chapel. From the square in front of the church there is a beautiful view over the Lower Town of Ragusa Ibla as far as the striking dome of San Giorgio. Unless the visitor takes the Corso Mazzini route he is now faced with a climb down 242 steps (La Scala) to the Old Town.