Ragusa

Ragusa is a city in south-eastern Sicily and the southernmost provincial capital in Italy, set on the southern slopes of the Hyblaean Mountains and reaching the sea at Marina di Ragusa. After the earthquake of 1693, which destroyed most of the city, it was rebuilt as two centres: Ragusa Ibla, on the medieval layout, and Ragusa Superiore, on a new grid plan. Its Baroque architecture has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2002, together with that of seven other towns of the Val di Noto. With more than 70,000 inhabitants, it is home to the Sicilian regional headquarters of CONI and its sports school, and its women's basketball team, Passalacqua Ragusa, which plays at the PalaMinardi, reached the Serie A1 title final in 2014. Ragusa has been designated European City of Sport 2027, a title it aims to link with the centenary of its status as provincial capital and the 25th anniversary of its UNESCO recognition.