Chiaramonte Gulfi (19 km from Ragusa, Sicily, 9,000 inhabitants) extends
on a hill, at the foot of a group of mountains, among which the "Arcibessi", 903
m, is the highest.
It is situated in the middle of a beautiful and green pine-wood, equipped, by the
municipality, with wooden tables and seats, in order to offer its visitors moments of
relax and to let them enjoy the magnificent view of boundless panoramas.
Pre-historic sites, from the Neolithic, have been recovered in proximity to the town;
these are rich of skeletons, ornamented ceramics and several graffito from the Iron Age
(2000 b.C.); thereabouts (by the Dirillo River) also stands the settlement of
Scornavacche, founded by the Greek-Syracusans, as a transit station, along the road that
connected Siracusa, Gela, Agrigento and Selinunte.
Most tokens are exhibited at the Archaeological Museum of Ragusa, notably a large number
of kilns, once used to cook the clay and all its by-products.
The panoramic setting of the town is enviable and contributes to its
appellation of "Balcony of Sicily".
Any corner of the town, in fact, shows hugest, magnificent and unique views: from Gela to
the Vulcan Etna; all the Ippari's Valley and its towns, Comiso, Vittoria, Acate; from the
Erei's ridges up to Caltagirone; the African Sea and the Iblean mounts.
The medieval structure of Chiaramonte is completed by a baroque post-earthquake style.
The tour starts from the gothic Duomo of "Santa Maria La Nuova" and the nearby
church of "San Filippo", harbouring the nice chapel of the "Rosario".
The 15th century Duomo was restored in 1720 and is a precious baroque building, endowed of
interesting frescoes, paintings and sculptures.
A gate, called the arch of the "Annunziata", remaining from the ancient boundary
walls, offers a pleasant view of the church of "San Giovanni". This has a nice
portal on two Doric columns, and shows, inside, roof and pilasters' frescoes and a wooden
statue of San Giovanni, from 15th century.
North of Chiaramonte, you find the sanctuary of "Gulfi", the only building
remaining from the ancient site. Here the "Madonna di Gulfi" is venerated.
A nice "pineta" (pine-wood), has been "created", through works of
re-afforestation" (started in 1693), out of town, along the road to Ragusa. It is a
very quiet and relaxing place, also harbouring the interesting of the "Madonna delle
Milizie".
