Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: Ragusa

The Phoenicians, the Greeks and the Romans have been here. In 216 BC, during the second Punic war, the Battle of Canne was fought nearby which led to the heavy defeat of the Romans by Hannibal's army. After the collapse of the Roman Empire, the area was taken over by the Normans, who built a fortress here. During the time of the Crusades, Barletta became an important gathering point for the armies of knights. The city had its heyday under Frederick II, who in 1228 announced the sixth crusade during the Diet held here. Following the Muslim conquest in the Holy Land, the Archbishops of Nazareth took permanent refuge in Barletta in 1327. - The church is known since the 12 century when it was named "Santo Salvatore". When during the "Sack of Barletta" in 1528 the convent buildings of the Order of Friars Minor (aka "Franciscans") including the church Sant'Andrea, that was located outside the city walls, got destroyed, the order was enabled to settle here inside the walls. They renamed the church to Sant'Andrea. The church has this interesting tympanum. Flanked by angels are Christ in a blessing gesture, the Virgin (left) and John the Baptist (right). The pillars end in the symbols of the four evangelists, and below is an inscription (hard to see) that reads "Incola Tranensis sculpsit Simeon Raguseus" A signature! "This was sculptured by Simeon from Ragusa, living in Trani". Ragusa today is named Dubrovnik! Simeon came from the eastern side of the Adriatic sea.

The "Castello di Donnafugata" is located about 10 kms west of Ragusa. It can be traced back to the 14th century, but all buildings seen now, are much younger. Corrado Arezzo Barone di Donnafugata (1824-1895) built the present palace building on the foundations of the previous one. Donnafugata is very well known for its wine and different restaurants. The "Trattoria Pizzeria Al Castello Donnafugata" serves simple, authentic Sicilian food. Antipasto Rustico mixed cheeses, cold cuts, olives, artichokes, onions in oil, pork, focacce

Sicily, the largest Mediterranean island, has a long history, that starts around 8000 BC, but later there were Phoenician, Carthaginian, Greek and Roman periods. After the Roman Empire had fallen apart the Vandals tried to take over the island but failed. Finally, the Ostrogoths took possession. Mid of the 6th century Sicily was conquered by troops of the Byzantine Empire. After the advent of Islam, Sicily got attacked by the Arab forces. Raids seeking loot continued until the mid-8th century. A Muslim army was sent to the island in 827 but met with much resistance. So it took a century to conquer it and even later revolts constantly occurred In 1038 the Byzantines invaded the island supported by Norman mercenaries, led by Roger. In 1072, after the siege of Palermo, most of Sicily was under Norman control. Roger´s son Roger II raised the status +of the island to a kingdom in 1130. During this period, the Kingdom of Sicily was prosperous and powerful, The court of Roger II became melting out of culture from Europe and the Middle East. This attracted scholars, scientists, artists, and artisans. Muslims, Jews, Greeks, Lombards, and Normans cooperated and created some extraordinary buildings. In 1186 the last descendant of Roger, Constance of Sicily married Emperor Henry VI, the second son of Barbarossa. So the crown of Sicily was passed on to the Hohenstaufen Dynasty. Frederick II, the only son of Constance, was crowned King of Sicily at the age of four in 1198. He became "Stupor Mundi", one of the greatest and most cultured men of the Middle Ages. - The "Castello di Donnafugata" is located about 10 kms west of Ragusa. It can be traced back to the 14th century, but all buildings seen now, are much younger. Corrado Arezzo Barone di Donnafugata (1824-1895) built the present palace building on the foundations of the previous one. The palace has 122 rooms on a floor space of 2500 m². Donnafugata is very well known for its wine and different restaurants. One of them serves simple, authentic Sicilian food. www.donnafugata.it/en/