Catania to Ragusa: Private day trip

Settled since the second millenium BC, Ragusa was devastated by an earthquake in 1693. Many of the villagers moved higher up the hill and founded Upper Ragusa, which was built in the lavish Baroque style, while Old Ragusa remained a separate entity until the two towns were fused in 1926. Today, both sections of the city are filled with enough Baroque landmarks Ragusa received UNESCO recognition. In the lower city, visitors can enjoy the views offered by the Hyblean Gardens before heading out to see the Basilica di San Giorgio, and tackle its 200 steps. En route to the upper city, St. Mary of the Stairs, sitting atop 242 steps, still bears some of its original Gothic features amongst the Baroque ornamentation. Dominating the upper city is the Cathedral of San Giovanni Battista, which was actually rebuilt twice after the earthquake as the first version wasn’t extravagant enough.