Ragusa Ibla
Ragusa Ibla in southeast Sicily, is located on the coast and it is one of Sicily’s seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites.The whole town is on a hilltop and looks like a nativity scene with the houses and pathways wrapping around the hill, and balconies with strange mascheroni, grotesque gargoyle-like figures that have local traditional meanings. Starting in the baroque era, rich families commissioned talented local carvers to create these figures symbolizing various stories and family lore.
If you stop with a group of curious travelers at the right place, you will hear scary tales of ghosts, betrayed wives, mysterious disappearances, or romantic elopements that go back years or even centuries. The older locals will also, during Easter time, offer you the mpanatigghia (from the Spanish word empanadillas), little cookies filled up with chocolate flower and fine chopped beef meat. A real delicacy which connects you with the local culture.
