Ragusa Cathedral (San Giovanni)

The Cathedral of San Giovanni is a large Latin cross building of a basilica type, with three naves and six bays. The façade, facing east, is divided into five parts and a second order, its construction began in 1719 and was consecrated in 1778. The church should have had two bell towers of 50 meters and a large dome. But economic problems led to downsizing this project. In 1773 the external works were completed and in 1778 after the completion of some internal works, the church was consecrated without the dome and the second bell tower being present. In 1780 work began on the dome which was finished in 1783. The second bell tower, despite the work begun in 1832, was never completed. In the nineteenth century the interior of the church was embellished by a series of decorative and restructuring interventions: reconstruction of the chapels of the side aisles, insertion of the black stone floor with white stone inlays, insertion of the large canopy in red velvet embroidered in gold .

Learn More: Detail sheet with images

Card insertion: Ignazio Caloggero

Audio Guide: Ignazio Caloggero delegate of the LIons District Service 2022-2023 "Sicily for the Blind, Let's Make Cultural and Environmental Heritage Enjoyable" on text provided by the Cathedral of San Giovanni

Photo: web, Ignazio Caloggero

Information contributions: Ignazio Caloggero, Region of Sicily