Santa Maria dell'Itria, Ragusa

Santa Maria dell'Itria is a modest church from the outside, but inside it holds a treasure: a Byzantine-style icon of the Madonna dell'Itria (Our Lady of the Itria), which is deeply venerated by locals. The icon, painted on wood, depicts the Virgin Mary with the Christ Child, and is believed to date from the 16th century or earlier. It is set within an elaborate Baroque altar, creating a striking contrast between the icon's solemn, stylized figures and the exuberant surrounding decoration. The church itself is small and intimate, with a single nave and a peaceful ambiance. Visitors come to see the icon and to experience a slice of Ragusa's living faith, away from the more famous tourist sites.

Don't miss

• View the Byzantine-style icon of the Madonna dell'Itria, a rare piece in Sicily
• Admire the Baroque altar that frames the icon
• Notice the simple yet serene interior, a contrast to more ornate churches
• Light a candle and join locals in quiet devotion

Tickets & tours

Ways to visit Santa Maria dell'Itria, Ragusa

Cheapest way inExcursions to the caves of Santa Maria di Leuca4.9★ · 241 travelers1–3 hoursFree cancellationFrom$41 per personSee dates →Best full daySal Island Full-Day Tour with Native Certified Guide4.9★ · 1,357 travelers~7 hoursFree cancellationFrom$41 per personSee dates →Private & flexibleFull Day coast to coast, Santa Maria di Leuca, Otranto, Gallipoli5★ · 20 travelers7–8 hoursFree cancellationFrom$180 per personSee dates →