SS. Annunziata Church
The Basilica was built on the remains of the ancient church of San Nicola di Mira, dating back to 1125. It was built on the temple of Diana the Huntress, not so far from the water source and from the Roman baths of the imperial era whose remains are still visible in the homony
Church Of Maria Santissima Annunziata (1772 - 1896) by Giovan Battista Cascione VaccariniUnione Nazionale Pro Loco d'Italia di Ragusa
The earthquake of 1693 destroyed a large part of the church which was almost rebuilt from scratch in 1772.
The church has three naves with a barrel vault sustained by ten large arches which lay on cylindrical columns. The church has a Latin cross plan, with the majestic dome.
Church of Maria Santissima Annunziata - apse (18th century) by G. La Leta e M. SparavillaUnione Nazionale Pro Loco d'Italia di Ragusa
The apse
In the apse and in the spandrels of the dome there are frescoes by G. La Leta and M. Sparavilla.
Church of Maria Santissima Annunziata - baptistery (1912-1913) by Mario RutelliUnione Nazionale Pro Loco d'Italia di Ragusa
The baptistery
A white marble and bronze baptistery, made by Mario Rutelli in 1912 and inaugurated on August 15, 1913
Church of Maria Santissima Annunziata - organ (1922) by Polizzi brothersUnione Nazionale Pro Loco d'Italia di Ragusa
The organ
A large tire-tubular organ made by Polizzi brothers of Modica in 1922
San Biagio Church
The previous Romanesque church dedicated to San Biagio the Elder was enlarged in the early 1500s and then destroyed by the earthquake of 1693. Only the central nave retains its original structure.
Interior
At the beginning of the 1500 it was enlarged, but, destroyed by the 1693's aerthquake. Then it was partly renovated. Only the central nave preserved its original structure.
Santa Maria della Grazia Church
The church was erected in 1614 on the last soft slopes of the Iblei before they merge with the Ippari Valley south of the city, just outside what was once inhabited at the time.
The Church Of Santa Maria Della Gratia (Former Capuchin Church) (18th century) by unknownUnione Nazionale Pro Loco d'Italia di Ragusa
In the past, the church of “Santa Maria della Gratia” was not only considered a cradle of the Christian faith, but also a refuge for revolutionaries.
The Church Of Santa Maria Della Gratia (Former Capuchin Church) - interior (18th century) by unknownUnione Nazionale Pro Loco d'Italia di Ragusa
The crypt
In the '700, the church was leaned crypt and a mortuary chapel, in whose walls there are niches where the remains of friars and bourgeois rest.
The Church Of Santa Maria Della Gratia (Former Capuchin Church) - interior (18th century) by unknownUnione Nazionale Pro Loco d'Italia di Ragusa
Here is preserved a drilled skull from the 1700s: an artefact of important historical and scientific value because it testifies to a surgery three centuries ago, a forerunner of modern neurosurgery.
San Leonardo Church
Following the expansion of the homonymous district, where an hermitage was located (1265), the church was originally dedicated to Our Lady “Mater Puerum.”
San Francesco all'Immacolata Church
This is a National Monument, built in the XIV century. In 1478, the Naselli's family gave the little old church to the Minor Friars of the convent, who held it until they were suppressed as religious congregations (1866).
San Giuseppe Church
Located outside the city walls, it is a small church probably built in the second half of the seventeenth century to meet the needs of the new neighborhood.
Santa Maria delle Stelle Church
Destroyed and re-built on the XV century, it was damaged by the 1693's earthquake. The reconstruction began the year after, under the direction of P. Porcelli, for the wish of count Baldassarre V. It was consecrate in 1699.
Church of Santa Maria delle Stelle - central nave (1694 - 1699) by unknownUnione Nazionale Pro Loco d'Italia di Ragusa
The interior
The church was built following the draws of Rosario Gagliardi, the same architect of S. Giorgio Church in Ragusa Ibla and Santa Maria Maggiore Church in Ispica.
Church of Santa Maria delle Stelle (17th century) by E. LucentiUnione Nazionale Pro Loco d'Italia di Ragusa
The Comiso craftsmen improved themselves by working on the reconstruction of the Matrice but today we know only the name of the sculptor E. Lucenti, who carved the mouldings of the dome.
Church of Santa Maria delle Stelle - ceiling (17th century) by Antonio IbertiUnione Nazionale Pro Loco d'Italia di Ragusa
The ceiling
Antonio Iberti – known as Barbalonga - created the wooden ceiling in the first half of the seventeenth century. It remained intact after the 1693's earthquake
The pagoda of the peace
The Pagoda is a Buddhist temple and a symbol of peace.
The Peace Pagoda - frontal with stairs (1997) by Gyosho MorishitaUnione Nazionale Pro Loco d'Italia di Ragusa
The Japanese monk Morishita consecrated the temple on 7 July 1997.
The Peace Pagoda - statue (1997) by Gyosho MorishitaUnione Nazionale Pro Loco d'Italia di Ragusa
The feast of flowers (also known as the Anniversary of Buddha’s birth) is celebrated on April and held during the first or the second Sunday of the month.
Ringraziamenti per la collaborazione: Pro Loco Comiso, Comune di Comiso, Pro Loco Ispica, Pro loco Mazzarelli, Pro Loco Chiaramonte Gulfi, Pro Loco Vittoria, Pro Loco Monterosso Almo, Pro Loco Acate, Pro Loco Ragusa.
