The Ibleo garden – Ragusa Ibla
Built in 1858, the Giardino Ibleo was created on the initiative of some local nobles and a large part of the people who worked for free for the construction of the work.
It stands on a rocky outcrop that overlooks the Irminio valley, at the eastern end of the town at about 385 m a.s.l.; the entrance consists of a magnificent avenue lined with numerous palm trees, it is very well maintained and adorned with well-sculpted benches, columns with stone vases carved in different shapes and an elegant balcony with a limestone fence. The monument to the fallen of the great war is imposing in the center of the villa.
The garden is made up of three different parts that correspond to the different phases of its construction and represents a true monumental heritage for Ragusa Ibla thanks to the presence of three churches inside.
In fact, in the initial part of the Garden it is possible to visit: the Church of the Cappuccini, also the Church of San Vincenzo Ferreri, now transformed into an auditorium and the Church of San Giacomo. This first part constitutes the original nucleus of the Garden. Along the so-called Viale delle Palme there are 50 specimens of Phoenix canariensis and, in the surrounding green spaces, specimens all belonging to the Mediterranean flora can be admired.
From the Capuchin church one enters the second part of the garden, built in a more rigorously formal style, with geometric flowerbeds arranged around a circular pool. The last part is the so-called “Boschetto della Rimembranza”, built in the 1930s in honor of the fallen of the First World War.
Near the public garden, it is also possible to admire the Portal of San Giorgio, which is what remains of the old church of San Giorgio destroyed by the earthquake of 1693.
This green lung ensures a pleasant corner of peace and tranquillity. Good walk!
