Ragusa

Searching for colour

The interior of the church of San Giuseppe (St. Joseph) is a single large oval-shaped room.
The Friar Alberto Maria di San Giovanni Battista most likely took inspiration for its floor plan from the church of Santa Chiara (St. Claire) in Noto.
The architect friar had two entrances built, one from Piazza Pola and the other directly from the convent for access by the nuns. As you enter the church you are surprised and overwhelmed by its very high ceiling, an effect achieved thanks to the majestic dome and the four windows that fill the space with light.
Ingresso verso l’altare foto dal basso verso l’alto della cupola
As for the walls, they were left white with some golden stucco decoration.
This pallor, however, is immediately broken up by four colourful altars placed along the walls, the painting on the high altar and the vault fresco.

zoom affresco della volta
affresco della volta

The painting with the Holy Family was created by painter Matteo Battaglia from Ragusa and the fresco with the Glory of St. Benedict is the work of Sebastiano Lo Monaco, an artist from Catania.
To add colour to the room, and to create a strong contrast with the white walls, black pietra pece was used for the floor, which features a white limestone decoration.
uno degli altari sulle pareti pavimento

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One city, two sites

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The internal colours

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A colourful floor

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Prominent façade

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Rosario Gagliardi, the maestro of the Val di Noto

A square as the heart of the city

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A symbol for the town

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Searching for colour

Some masterpieces

The disastrous earthquake

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A Nobel Prize in Modica

A small room with a golden entrance

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Baroque and the loss of equilibrium in the 16th century

The theatre of taste

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A long reconstruction

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Modica, a city with ancient origins

A new entrance for Santa Chiara (St. Claire)

The kitchen, a treasure chest of colours

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Between white and black

Two illustrious patron saints

The senses tell the story of the church of San Giuseppe

St. Sebastian, so much work!

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The city of museums

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Many owners, one palace

Norman apses

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Limestone, the colour of harmony

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Wonderful quick decorations

The Burgos crucifix

The wall comes to life

An eagle-shaped city

A half-Baroque church

The senses tell about Palazzo Nicolaci

Feast days

Palazzo Nicolaci di Villadorata, who is the architect?