Comiso

Comiso is a charming village with lots of fascinating holy places framed by a stunning natural environments.

Settled in 2.500 AC, the tiny village of Comiso was founded by a colony of Siracusani. Then it was conquered by Normans and Aragonesi. After the violent 1693 earthquake the village was completely rebuilt under the jurisdiction of the Naselli family. This charming village has lots of fascinating holy places such as the Duomo di Santa Maria delle Stelle, built in the XV century on the ruins of its ancient predecessor; the Basilica Maria SS.Annunziata, characterised by a neoclassical style, was built 1772 -1793 and designed by the famous Sicilian architect G.B. Casino Vaccarini. Other interesting churches are the Santuario di San Francesco all’Immacolata, Chiesa di S. Biagio, Ex Chiesa del Gesù (o di San Filippo Neri), Chiesa S. Maria della Grazia (detta dei Cappuccini). The Pagoda of Comiso, known as Peace Pagoda, is one of the few pagodas built in Europe. It is 16m high with a diameter of 15m and has the classic look of the Indian stupa characterised by the round dome shape. Furthermore the Castello dei Naselli d’Aragona is one of the most charming castles of this area. Built in 1497, risen on the ruins of a medieval castle it holds incredible Byzantine frescos.

Comiso also has a Natural History museum that displays 10,000 fossils and many rare minerals, shells and insects.

If you are passionate about the ancient civilisation, you can visit both the Cava Porcaro early Christian catacombs, and the Fountain of Diana, where you can admire the original Tepidarium, Alveus and the Calidarium, along with a beautiful mosaic made of white and black basalt stones.

People live here:

29.984

It is famous for:

The painters Andrea Giovanni Lo Bianco known as “il Comiso”, Salvatore Fiume, Nunzio Gulino, Biagio Brancato;

The archaeologist Biagio Pace;

The general Salvatore Pelligra;

The writer Gesualdo Bufalino

Attractions:

Sagra della Vendemmia di Pedalino, food festival

How to get there:

By car:

SS 514 Ragusa-Catania;