SCICLI
Scicli
is a most lovely city in the province of Ragusa, lying on a vast
valley amidst rocky mountains, where the San Bartolomeo, the Santa
Maria La Nuova and the Fiumara di Modica rivers join. Its 18th century
look most resulted from the reconstruction that followed the terrible
earthquake of 1693. Thanks to its elegant palazzi and churches,
and its picturesque shape, it is famously known as the “Baroque
Jewel”.
HISTORY
Scicli
has remote origins, even partly unknown. Sciclis is likely to have
been its earliest name, at the time of the Sikels – considered
to be on of the most ancient Sicilian peoples. They settled in what
is now called the San Matteo hill; a necropolis there is still clearly
visible, as well as the ruins of an ancient castle and of a triangular
tower, likely served to guard against assaults of Greeks. Greek,
Roman and Carthaginian’s relics have been discovered at the
area.
Scicli
was one of the 72 Roman città decumane (that is, liable for
tax). Roman specimens, mainly consisting of pavements, have been
brought to light near the mouth of the Irminio river. Called Sikia
during the Arab rule, the city, as well as the other Saracen dominions,
enjoyed a period of extraordinary growth and development, that was
notably emphasized by Arab historian Edrisi.
Several
occupations were to follow: the Normans, who established the feudal
system; the Swabian, under whom Scicli maintained its autonomy of
city-state; the French Anjou and the Spanish Aragon, under whom
Scicli was assimilated into the County of Modica, ruled successively
by the Mosca, Chiaramonte, Cabrera and Henriquez dynasties. In 1693,
a terrible earthquake almost razed Scicli to ground. In 1860, a
plebiscite proclaimed it a city of the newly born Kingdom of Italy.
ECONOMY
Thanks
to its fertile and flat grounds, Scicli is mainly an agricultural
city. The intensive production is largely focused on hothouse and
early fruit cultivations, Scicli being a major producer in Sicily.
Most of its industrial businesses are involved in processing agricultural
products. The outputs of oil, wheat, wine, citrus-fruit, carob derivatives
and, of recent, flowers are highly remarkarble.
TOUR
The
tour of the town can start in the central Piazza Italia, where,
admidst a number of 18th century buildings, rise the churches of
the Madonna delle Milizie and Sant’Ignazio, both ornamented
with precious stuccoes and paintings. The Chiesa di San Bartolomeo,
few distant, dating from the 15th century, houses a wooden nativity,
later restored, dated 1573. The Santuario della Madonna delle Milizie,
about 1.5 km off town, near the coast, is a fine specimen of the
Arab and Norman epochs. Palazzo Beneventano is one of the most impressive
baroque monuments in the entire province. Other interesting monuments
are the 1386’s Monastery of the Carmelite Fathers, the 15th
century church of Santa Maria La Nuova, in a neo-classic style,
San Matteo and Santa Croce. The Via Mormino Penna, lined with amazing
palazzi, churches and monuments, provides with an unforgettable
baroque picture. Here stand the Palazzo Comunale (Town Hall), the
Palazzo Spadaro and the churches of San Giovanni, San Michele and
Santa Teresa. Some religious events are particularly awaited in
town: the Cavalcata di San Giuseppe, on 19th March, is a charming
procession on horseback throughout the streets of the town, that
are all illuminated by fires. The Holy Family on horses adorned
with flowers, leads the procession. Another worth-seeing event is
the Uomo Vivo (the living man) or Festa del Gioia, celebrated on
Easter’s Day. The statue of the Resurrected Christ is carried
shoulder-high by a group of worshippers in triumph across the streets
of the town.
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Ragusa
Acate
Chiaramonte Gulfi
Comiso
Giarratana
Ispica
Modica
Monterosso Almo
Pozzallo
Santacroce Camerina
Scicli
Vittoria
Monti
Iblei
Cava D'Ispica
Castello di Donnafugata
Camarina
Casuzze
Cava d'Aliga
Donnalucata
Marina di Modica
Marina di Ragusa
Punta Secca
Punta Braccetto
Sampieri
Scoglitti
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