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Visit Ispica
Ispica is Sicilian town, situated on a hill in the south-eastern corner of the island, at about 200 meters above sea level (the sea is about six kilometers away). It is especially well known for the extensive prehistoric cave system.
Since Ispica has a couple of churches that are rather remarkable from the artistic point of view, a visit can start with them.
Ispica churches
The Basilica of Santa Maria was re-built after the earthquake in 1704. The first contributions came from the Prince Francesco V Statella (1654-1710), to whom we also owe much of the reconstruction of the city and other churches. The façade is of great importance, with Corinthian pilasters and two bell towers affected by the influence of the Baroque style. The Artistic value of the church comes from 13 large panels of stucco that decorate the nave, transept and chapel. Dating from the 18th century they are probably the most significant work of Giuseppe Gianforma (active between 1740 and 1770). Also very special in the church are some oil paintings, like the 'Annunciation' and the 'Adoration of the Magi. " We should also mention the picture of "St. Andrew Avellino," attributed to Caravaggio (1571-1610), and the 'Annunciation’.
The mother church of St. Bartholomew in Ispica was begun after the earthquake. Outside it has a double staircase and the façade has late-baroque and neoclassical motifs, while inside are three-naves divided by pillars of the Tuscan order. A work of some importance in the church is the "San Bartolomeo", a painting of considerable size. The ancient church of S. Bartholomew was probably built after the Norman conquest. In 1547 it was rebuilt by the will of Isabella Caruso.
Palaces in Ispica
Among the civil buildings, in particular we mention the Bruno Palace, designed by Ernesto Basile (1857-1932), which is of liberty style, with motifs that also recall the Gothic style. In the center of Ispica there are also several other palaces: the oldest is thought to be that of the Statella family, built after the earthquake - the main entrance with two columns can be seen. From the first half of the 18th century are the Favi Palace, which was damaged by the earthquake of 1727, and the Alfieri Gambuzza Palace, with some frescos by Francesco Sozzi (1732-1795). Further palaces were built in the late 19th century in the neoclassical style by Carlo Di Gregorio (1836-1899), while others were built in the early decades of the twentieth century in the Art Nouveau style.
Prehistoric caves at ispica
Ispica is well known for its extensive prehistoric monuments, which are the main attraction in the region. Among these is the famous 'Cava Ispica', 13 kilometres long and with evidence of occupation in various ages: caves inhabited by the Sicules in the Bronze Age; the Christian catacombs of the late Roman Empire (IV-V century AD); the rock frescoes of the "Grotto of the Saints"; and the ruins of the Byzantine church of St. Pancrati. Also remarkable is the catacomb of Larderia, an underground cemetery which contains over 400 graves.
Along the valley there are hundreds of natural caves carved into the rock. Many of these caves are close and linked together with tunnels in the rocky walls. Famous and of historical interest is the so-called “Sicano Castle”, built into the rock and a veritable fortress carved into a limestone cliff that plunges steeply down over 30 metres. It presents a series of excavations of prehistoric. early Christian and medieval rock art, partially destroyed and difficult to read.
We can distinguish in particular two large rock clusters located at both ends of the valley, spread over several levels along the rock walls and connected by winding roads that wind along the rocky wall; they are located in the part where there is easier passage and a greater presence of water with lush vegetation fed by springs that flow into the river “Pernazzoni” and which at one time were used, through canals dug into the rock, to irrigate the vegetable gardens and citrus groves of the valley.To the north we find the so-called Cave of Ispica while to the south there is Spaccaforno: this complex includes a residential 'block' and an inaccessible tower called the 'Force'.
In the low Ispica Cave is the Fortilitium, or the ancient castle of the Statella. This rocky outcrop was also the site of the residence of the important Statella family from the 14th century onwards. At its stood the ancient village of "Spaccaforno": destroyed, together with the "Fortilitium" by the earthquake of 1693. The area around the Cave also has a lush vegetation, home to several species of birds, and therefore has considerable importance from the naturalistic side.
Also close to Ispica
Finally, when in ispica we can not forget that we are in an area with quite high winter average temperatures also quite high and with fertile land, so for an extended season you can enjoy the famous beaches of Santa Maria del Focallo and Ciriga, and the natural oasis of “Pantano Longarini”.
you should also try some of the local produce such as the "carrots" of Ispica, whose production began in mid of the last century. Their cultivation has gradually expanded, thanks to great commercial success on the domestic and overseas markets and mainly due to the unique characteristics of the "carrots" such as early ripening, color and flavor. For lovers of traditional Sicilian cuisine there are the classic pasta with sardines, rolls of swordfish, cod, octopus salad, and fried squids to enjoy
See also Ispica history and etymology.