Scicli

The town sits in a valley at the confluence of the Fiume Irmino and three other rivers (which, however, dry out in the summer). The town is within 10 km from the small sea-side villages of Plaja Grande, Donnalucata, Cava D'Aliga and Sampieri. Scicli was heavily damaged by an earthquake in 1693 and was rebuilt in the style of the Sicilian Baroque, leading to many of its architectural attractions.

Tourist information

• Servizio Cultura e Turismo

  phone: +39 0932 839611
  address: Via Francesco Mormina Penna

By plane

The Catania airport is the nearest international airport, and AST buses can be taken to reach most destinations.
The Comiso Airport has been modernized and converted for civilian use. It is provided as an alternate airport in the event the Catania airport has to cease operations because of volcanic activity.

By train

• Scicli StationScicli is on the Siracusa-Ragusa line, connections to Syracuse, Canicatti, Scigli, Modica, and Gela.

By bus

Bus connections are served by the Azienda Siciliana Trasporti (AST) in the south of the province of Ragusa, and especially towards Modica.

By car

From the A18 Messina - Syracuse (which ends at Rosolini), Scicli can be reached via SS115 which makes a sharp turn into Ispica and heads toward Modica.
From the SS115, getting to Scicli is best achieved by taking the SP42. If coming directly from the city center of Modica, the SP54 can be used. A star-shaped network of provincial roads connect Scicli with the environment; you can take the SP40 from Sampieri and SP39 from Donnalucata on the coast.

On foot

Scicli is a small town and most places are within walking distance (less than 3 km) of one another. The terrain can be quite steep, so good walking shoes are recommended.

By bus

There area is served by the AST bus system. There are not many bus stops in the town.

Churches

• Chiesa di San Giovanni EvangelistaThis church stood next to a Benedictine Monastery, whose place in the early 20th century was taken by the Palazzo Municipale. The church was built sometime between 1760 and 1765. It has a concave-convex baroque façade with three levels and a large, oval dome with stained glass windows. The interior walls and ceiling are covered in paintings and stucco reliefs.

• Chiesa di San Matteo

  address: Via S. Matteo, 9

• Chiesa rupestre del RosarioThis "cave" church was built around 1516 on the hill Monte Campagna that overlooks the city. A statue of the Madonna is here and has numerous healings attributed to it.

• Chiesa S. Maria la Nova

  phone: +39 331 400 0858

• Chiesa di Santa Maria della Consolazione

• Chiesa Santa TeresaAn interesting former church with a rectangular façade (17th-18th centuries).

• Complesso della CroceAn austere late Gothic convent which survived the earthquake of 1693. Now it belongs to the state.

Palazzi

• Palazzo BeneventanoThis is an excellent example of the Baroque style in Scicli. This palace features interesting gargoyles on the balcony lintels.

• Palazzo Spadaro

  address: via F.M.Penna, 34
  Built in 17th-18th centuries. The Pinacoteca comunale, which occupies the building, has a collection consists of works by artists of the Gruppo di Scicli.

• Palazzo FavaOne of the first and largest Baroque palaces in the town. Its 18th-century façade is richly decorated.

• Palazzo Veneziano-Sgarlata

• Palazzo Bonelli

  address: via F.M.Penna

• Palazzo PalleBuilt at the beginning of the 20th century.

Other sites

• ChiafuraThis is an ancient neighborhood, now an archaeological park, that was carved into the rock. In ancient times the area was used as a cemetery. It was gradually transformed into a settlement in the early medieval period, coinciding with the Arab conquest, and was occupied without interruption until the middle of the tenth century.

• Grotte Museo "A rutta ri Ron Carmelu"A museum in a cave dwelling.

Villa PennaA former private garden of the Barons of Penna. It's now a well kept villa comunale worth for a break in a hot day. At the topmost terraces on the west there is a Capuchin monastery.

• The Festa delle MilizieThis event commemorates the dispute between the Saracens and Christians (the Normans) in 1091. It takes place in the last week of May and celebrates the intervention of the Madonna delle Milizie (Virgin Mary, literally translated as the Madonna of the Militia) on behalf of the Christians. The events are replayed as an open air game and the week finishes with religious services.

• Pasticceria Basile

  phone: +39 333 678 5876
  address: viale I Maggio n. 3
  This bakery has been in business since 1966. They offer an assortment of pastries in addition to chocolates, candy, and local honey.

• Novacento

  address: Via Duprè, 11
  This palace has been converted into a hotel. The interior is clean and bright. This hotel has free breakfast, a restaurant, and a café with outdoor seating. Car parking is offered and bike rentals are available.

• Modica
• Noto