MONTEROSSO
ALMO
Monterosso
Almo (24km from Ragusa; 3600 inhabitants; 691m a.s.l.; zip code
97010; area code 0932) nestles high on the slopes of the Iblean
mountains. It is the highest and southernmost city of the province
of Ragusa; its territory is mainly mountainous and dry with the
exception of a few areas. It is divided into two sides: upper and
lower Monterosso Almo. Works of re-afforestation started in the
nearby Calaforno district, leading to Ragusa, have much contributed
to its splendid environs.
HISTORY
The
roots of Monterosso Almo go back to very ancient times as show the
many necropolises discovered in its underlying valley. Another ancient
settlement has been brought to light in the close area of the Casaia
mount, where the Sikels, one of the earliest Sicilian peoples, settled.
The earliest records on Monterosso’s area refer to a hamlet
of the 4th century BC granted, along with those of Gulfi and Iomiso,
to the Byzantines. During the Norman rule this village was named
Monte Iohalmo, then belonging to Enrico Rosso from Aidone, who built
a castle, no longer existing, in the Casale district. Assimilated
into the County of Modica, Monterosso was first sold by Bernardo
Cabrera and eventually re-bought by his heirs. On 11 January 1693,
a terrible earthquake razed the city to the ground, causing over
200 dead.
ECONOMY
Giarratana
has a mainly agricultural economy. It produces a considerable output
of cereals, almond, olive, nut, fig, wine and, above all, a delicious
and big cherry, the so-called raffiuni. A special mention must go
to its excellent Pecorino cheese. These traditional products are
supported by a number of festivals recurring during the year. Worth-mentioning
are those celebrating the fresh ricotta and the crispella (kind
of fritters). The Carnival is much awaited and celebrated with a
big parade of allegoric floats and masks. Finally, there is the
Festival of San Giovanni, in honour of the patron saint of Monterosso,
able to draw thousands of locals and tourists on the first Sunday
of September.
TOUR
The
tour of Monterosso Almo comprises various sites. The Baroque Chiesa
di San Giovanni has a fine cupola and front elevation. Lovely stuccoes
adorn the nave and the aisles. The desecrated Chiesa di Sant’Anna,
flanked by several palazzi in neo-classic style, rises in the central
Piazza. The lower side of the town hosts the three-nave Mother Church,
a National monument rebuilt in a neo-Gothic style after the 1693
earthquake. Inside, it has several pieces of art, such as a 15th
century wooden crucifix and two 16th century holy-water fonts.
The
Palazzo Zacco and the Chiesa di San Antonio, also declared National
monuments, also contain beautiful works of art. The latter fouses
a great altarpiece containing the Martyrdom of San Lorenzo, the
Baptism of Constantine and the Madonna del Carmelo.
Out
of town are several naturalistic and archaeological attractions,
notably the grotte dei santi (the caves of the saints) and the grotte
dei denari (money’s caves), consisting of ancient rock-cut
tombs later transformed into dwellings. According to legend money
was buried into the grotte dei denari, that is still recoverable
through use of magic rituals. Excursions in the close areas of Calaforno
and the Lauro Mount are also highly recommended. The former offers
a beautiful naturalistic and peaceful environment, the latter, a
wild landscape with terrific views of the entire province.
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Ragusa
Acate
Chiaramonte Gulfi
Comiso
Giarratana
Ispica
Modica
Monterosso Almo
Pozzallo
Santacroce Camerina
Scicli
Vittoria
Monti
Iblei
Cava D'Ispica
Castello di Donnafugata Camarina
Casuzze
Cava d'Aliga
Donnalucata
Marina di Modica
Marina di Ragusa
Punta Secca
Punta Braccetto
Sampieri
Scoglitti
Testi
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