Overlooking the Mediterranean Sea from southern Sicily
Rich in monuments and museums, as well as a very tasty one culinary tradition, Vittoria can boast a record on the island: that of the youngest city in the whole province of Ragusa; moreover, in all of Sicily, the municipality of Vittoria is also one of the most populous. Are you ready to find out what this record-breaking city can offer you?
Victoria's story
The city was born in the Bosco Piano area, at the behest of the Countess Vittoria Colonna Henriquez Cabrera, who after the death of her husband (the Count of Modica) needed to rearrange her assets. Thus it was that, on April 24, 1607, the first stone of the city was laid, with the construction of the Castle and the Church. Until the end of feudalism, the city remained part of the County of Modica, and then passed from the province of Syracuse to that of Ragusa.
Many palaces date back to the first half of the last century Liberty style that are found in the city, also embellished with decorations art deco; other churches, fountains and buildings in the center date back to the XNUMXth century. The current Mother Church of Victoria was built in 1634, but destroyed by the Val di Noto earthquake of 1693, it was rebuilt in late Baroque style.
What to see in Vittoria
The tour of the youngest town in the province can start right there Mother Church, Quiapo Church in Piazza Ferdinando Ricca: the Ricca family owes much of the splendor of this Church, especially as regards the interior; here you will find works by Mazzone and sacred furnishings from the Caravaggio school, as well as the tomb of the Countess of Modica and founder of the city.
The other stops at the main sacred buildings of Vittoria are those at Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie, San Francesco di Paola, San Giuseppe and at the Church of the Sacred Heart, up to the Churches of the Trinity and the Cappuccini.
Another route that we suggest you follow in Vittoria is the one between Art Nouveau buildings, which undoubtedly constitute the soul of the city: starting from the buildings designed by Ernesto Basile, the palaces of Vittoria are elegant and fascinating. Also don't miss out Traina Palace, located in via Rosario Cancellieri.
The. is named after Vittoria Colonna Municipal Theatre, built in 1863 in Neoclassical style and today one of the most beautiful monuments in the centre.
In the city there is no shortage of cultural poles, represented by numerous museums such as the Monsignor Federico La China Diocesan Museum, museum of sacred art, the Virgilio Lavoro Civic Museum and Museum of Peasant Civilization, which you can visit in the center of Vittoria.
Who loves nature, from Vittoria can easily reach the Pino D'Aleppo Oriented Nature Reserve, which is located just 2,7 km from the city center; nearby, you will also find vineyards, farms and farms, to spend a day outdoors! If you can't give up the sea, on the other hand, you will be at Vittoria in less than half an hour by car Scoglitti, the fraction of the city overlooking the Gulf of Gela.
The typical dishes of Vittoria
Una vacation in Victoria it is the perfect opportunity to taste the best dishes of the delicious on the spot Sicilian cooking: in the restaurants of the city, in the most welcoming places in the center and in the farmhouses of the province, you will find genuine products and traditional dishes. We advise you to taste tomatoes, oil and wine, which are the most famous products of the Vittoria countryside, but also desserts such as fried ricotta ravioli.
At the restaurant, ask for the "pasta co capuliato", the Sicilian pesto prepared with irresistible dried tomatoes and flavored with the addition of parsley and fried bread.
Events not to be missed in Vittoria
To discover the traditions of the city, it is possible visit Victoria in the days of Patron Saint: this, in honor of St. John Baptist, takes place on11 January to remember the intercession of the Patron Saint, during the terrible earthquake in the Val di Noto, who managed to save the inhabitants of Vittoria; even in summer, however, there is a great festival dedicated to San Giovanni, which takes place on the first Sunday of July. Long awaited by the local faithful, it is the perfect opportunity for tourists too, to get into the spirit of this beautiful city.
How to get to Vittoria
Vittoria, in the Libero Municipal Consortium of Ragusa, can be easily reached in the car o on the train.
To get to Vittoria by car, take the E45 and then the SS115, or the Catania-Syracuse motorway and then the SS 194, while by train, get off at Ragusa station, 17 km from the centre, and continue by bus or shuttle to Vittoria.
