This Baroque town in southeast Sicily has narrow medieval streets and grand 18th-century palaces. UNESCO listed its architecture in 2002 for cultural significance.
Scicli sits between three limestone hills in southeastern Sicily, with each summit crowned by a church. Walk down Via Mormino Penna to see ornate 18th-century Baroque palaces with carved stone balconies and elaborate facades. Fans of Inspector Montalbano will recognize many filming locations, including the municipal building that serves as the TV show's police station. The town is part of the Val di Noto UNESCO site, recognized for its Baroque architecture.
Walking Via Mormino Penna
Walk down Scicli's main street to see the town's finest 18th-century Baroque buildings. Stop at Palazzo Beneventano to examine its 1765 facade, where grotesque stone masks peer down from between wrought-iron balconies. The town hall occupies the former Palazzo Spadaro, where limestone cherubs and flowers decorate the walls. You'll recognize this building as the fictional Vigata police station from Inspector Montalbano.
Churches on the Hills
Climb 130 steps to reach San Matteo, a 12th-century church with Norman-era stone walls. From here, you can look across Scicli's terracotta roofs and the valley below. The Madonna delle Milizie church marks where locals believe the Virgin Mary appeared during a battle in 1091. San Bartolomeo completes the trio of hilltop churches, each telling its own architectural story from Norman times through to 18th-century Baroque modifications.
Local Food Traditions
In Scicli's restaurants, chefs cook Sicilian classics using ingredients from nearby farms. Try pasta alla Norma made with local eggplants and ricotta salata, or buy arancini filled with ragù or pistachios from street vendors. Local fishermen sell their morning catch at the market, supplying restaurants with fresh seafood. In summer, look for scaccia ragusana, a regional flatbread stuffed with tomatoes, cheese, and vegetables.
Getting Around Scicli
The historic center takes about 20 minutes to cross on foot, though reaching the hilltop churches requires steep climbing. Take hourly buses to Ragusa and Modica (30-minute journey). The train station lies 2 kilometers from the center, with connections to Syracuse (2 hours) and Catania (3 hours). Renting a car makes it easier to visit nearby beaches and other Baroque towns in the Val di Noto region.
