Stradone

On the left of the Stradone

On the left of the Stradone, the chief avenue and the latest, between two and 300 years outdated, at proper angles to it, shadowed by tall and historic homes, tiny alleys, ending in steep flights of steps, lead up towards the mountain. On the flat to its proper is a contented maze of alleys, clear, unusual, outdated, but by no means unhappy. A scrumptious cheerfulness reigns in Ragusa. From the dimness of venerable doorways smiling faces look forth. They lean down from carved stone balconies. Homosexual voices chatter on the foot of frowning partitions, large bastions, mighty watch-towers; earlier than the statue of Roland, close to the Dogana which has a loggia and Gothic home windows; by the effective and big Onofrio fountain, which for over 4 hundred and seventy years has given water to the inhabitants; among the many doves by Porta Place, which ends up in the harbor. The large, however intimate, Stradone towards midday and night is thronged with cheerful and neatly dressed residents, strolling back and forth within the tender air between the de-icious little outlets stuffed with effective rugs, weapons, chains, and filigree ornaments.

Reverse the fountain of Onofrio are the church, monastery, and cloisters of the Franciscans, with a courtyard and an outdated pharmacy containing some fantastic vases. On the forged finish of the Stradone, away to the appropriate, are the church of San Biagio, the cathedral, and the Palazzo dei Rettori. On the opposite aspect of the road are the navy hospital and the church of the Jesuits. Not distant is the Dominican monastery.

Most outstanding is the rector’s palace

Of those probably the most outstanding is the rector’s palace. However the cloisters of the Franciscans are stunning and maintain a unprecedented allure and peace. The rector’s palace is a noble Renaissance constructing, with a courtyard containing a really good-looking staircase, and with a extremely splendid fifteenth-century colonnade fronting the piazza. The carving of the capitals of the columns is splendidly efficient. Three are stated to be inferior to the remaining 4, which had been the work of an architect of Naples, Ono- frio. However all are outstanding. The little winged boys have a tenderness and liveliness, a softness and exercise, that are fairly beautiful. The home windows of Venetian Gothic are stunning; and the entire impact of this facade, with its carved doorway, the spherical arches, richly darkish, with notes of white, the 2 tiers of stone seats raised one above the opposite, and the double rows of home windows, sq. and arched, within the shadow of the colonnade, is totally noble.

The cathedral just isn’t very fascinating, and the “Assumption” over the excessive altar, although attributed to Titian, can’t be by him. Rather more enticing is a replica of the Madonna della Sedia of Raphael. The treasury comprises some outstanding jewels and silver and plenty of relics.