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Just 5 km from Sicily’s southernmost coastline, Scicli is the harmonious synthesis of a mixture of natural and human elements that have been skilfully put together to form one of the most beautiful cities in the world, as Elio Vittorini described it.
The city, entirely rebuilt after the 1693 earthquake, stands in a highly scenic position in the middle of three valleys and has always been regarded as one of the Baroque jewels off the usual tourist routes in south-eastern Sicily. Its beauty has made it the set of great works of cinema, such as Cyrano and the famous television series of Detective Montalbano.
Scicli is immediately captivating with its high number of 18th century churches and palaces, which constitute an important heritage of Baroque art for which it was proclaimed a Unesco heritage site. Although history and art are certainly the main attractions offered by the city, the recent influx of tourists has led to the emergence of numerous clubs and restaurants, also suitable for a younger audience in search of a more nocturnal life.
A very characteristic but often under-appreciated part of the town are the colourful traditional festivals. During the feast of the Madonna delle Milizie, there is a representation in Piazza Italia of the Saracen invasion of 1091 that is said to have been miraculously foiled by the appearance of the Virgin on horseback.
During the St Joseph’s Cavalcade in March (‘Cavalcata di San Giuseppe), a large number of horses with trappings decorated with flowers are seen parading through the streets of the city. The designs on these cloaks are particularly elaborate and depict scenes from the flight of the Holy Family to Egypt; traditionally, Sciclian families produce them by hand, working for several months.
Finally, at Easter time, Scicli’s most famous event sees a wooden statue of the Risen Christ, called ‘U Gioia’, parade through the streets of the town, supported by the citizens of Scicli in a contagious festive atmosphere.
The Cavalcata di San Giuseppe in Scicli is a traditional religious procession that takes place on the Saturday following 19 March (or 19 March itself if it is Saturday). every year. The participants, on horseback and dressed in period clothing, bring gifts to the statue of St Joseph, accompanied by music and singing. A unique and evocative experience of Sicilian culture.
The feast of Madonna delle Milizie in Scicli is a religious celebration held on the last Sunday of May. The statue of the Madonna is carried in procession through the streets of the city, accompanied by marching bands and fireworks. An event of great devotion and Sicilian folklore.
Easter in Scicli is a religious celebration of the Risen Christ, called the ‘Festa del Gioia’. The city comes alive with processions, fireworks displays, and typical Sicilian dishes such as cassata and sfince. An unforgettable experience of Sicilian culture.
In the exact centre of the town we find Via Francesco Mormina Penna, late-baroque heart of Scicli and considered one of the most beautiful streets in Sicily.
Despite being the result of a series of transformations up to the 20th century, the street retains a harmony that makes it unique, with a combination of admirable 18th-century churches, charming 19th-century buildings and a wide range of clubs and restaurants that have sprung up in recent years.
Particularly visited is the Town Hall, set of the famous TV series ‘Il commissario Montalbano’.
Continuing from Piazza Italia into the Cava di San Bartolomeo you can find the San Bartolomeo Church (in dialect ‘San Martulumiu’)
With its unique architectural style, the San Bartolomeo church is one of the best Sicilian expressions of Neoclassical Baroque and is one of the few structures that survived the earthquake that devastated the Val di Noto in 1963.
In addition to the gilded stuccoes that brighten up the impressive interior, the monument is distinguished by the presence of a 16th-century wooden nativity scene.
Going much further than the Church of the Consolation, one can find the Church of Santa Maria la Nova.
The construction history of this temple was very troubled and was only completed in the second half of the 19th century, making it one of Scicli’s youngest monuments.
Of all the churches in the city, Santa Maria La Nova certainly stands out for the amount of artwork it contains. Among them, the most important is the wooden statue of the Risen Christ, known to all as ‘U Gioia’, the protagonist of the town’s most popular festival.
Less than 100 metres from our building, Piazza Busacca houses one of the most important churches in the country. Built after the 1693 earthquake, the Church of the Carmine (hence the name of the room ‘U Carmunu’) was annexed to the Convent of the Carmelite Fathers, whose foundation dates back to 1368.
While the façade is a jewel of Sicilian rococo, the interior floors are a complex inlay of pitch-black Ragusa stone and white limestone.
In the square in front of the building you can find numerous restaurants, including the Busacca, one of the best restaurants in Scicli.
Just above Piazza Busacca you can find an open space with the Church of Santa Maria della Consolazione (in sicilian dialect, U Cunsulu) above it. One of the few Sciclian buildings that survived the 1693 earthquake, the building has undergone considerable restoration work in recent years and can now be visited on various occasions of the year, such as Holy Thursday.
On these days it is also possible to see the famous Queen of the Moors, one of the 7 natural mummies found under the floor of the church.
Continuing from Piazza Italia into the Cava di San Bartolomeo you can find the San Bartolomeo Church (in dialect ‘San Martulumiu’)
With its unique architectural style, the San Bartolomeo church is one of the best Sicilian expressions of Neoclassical Baroque and is one of the few structures that survived the earthquake that devastated the Val di Noto in 1963. In addition to the gilded stuccoes that brighten up the impressive interior, the monument is distinguished by the presence of a 16th-century wooden nativity scene.
Casa Melina is strategically located near Piazza Busacca and the Church of the Carmine, two of the important monuments of Scicli’s historic centre. It is a five-minute walk to Via Francesco Mormino-Penna, a street well known thanks to the famous Vigata police station on the set of the TV series Il Commissario Montalbano .
Casa Melina is 25 km from Ragusa, 6 km from Modica, 46 km from Noto and 47 km from Comiso airport. The golden beaches of the Sicilian coast are only 8 km away.
From Casa Melina you can walk to several restaurants, pizzerias, bars, sandwich shops and a bus stop connecting with Catania and Palermo.
Casa Melina is an excellent choice for those who want to stay in a central and convenient location to visit the attractions of eastern Sicily, both cultural and natural, and to enjoy the variety of services offered in the surrounding area.
Our site regularly offers special deals to customers who book through it. If you are interested in booking a stay at Casa Melina, please do so via our website by entering the exact dates of your trip and the number of people who will accompany you during your stay.
We will be happy to provide you with a customised proposal at the best available price.
