MARINA DI RAGUSA - History
Mazzarelli as it was originally is located on the opposite African coast. It was a tiny fishing village because of its sandy bay which was perfect for landing boats. It also had a small pier from where cargo ships would transport merchandise to England, France and Spain. This all took place under the attentive and prudent surveillance of an old tower which had been built several years before by a Spanish Captain Bernardo Cabrera to protect the region against Saracen incursions. In 1928, the mayor Filippo Pennavaria of Ragusa renamed Mazzarelli as Marina di Ragusa.
MARINA DI RAGUSA - Today
Marina di Ragusa is a village in southern Italy, a part of the comune of Ragusa. The site is noted for its beautiful beaches and lively nightlife. Marina di Ragusa is located on the Mediterranean coast of the island of Sicily, directly opposite the island of Malta. The village has an official population of 4,070 but during the summer it gets to over 60,000 inhabitants.
Today, Marina di Ragusa is a beach resort with a Mediterranean climate almost practically pleasant for more than 8 month a year and it is one of the most equipped and claimed seaside place in south-eastern Sicily attracting international visitors to its beautiful golden sandy beaches and relaxed restaurants and bars.
The local economy is based on tourism. Many bars, restaurants,hotels and holiday homes are busy during the summer season whilst during the winter the village gets busy only at weekends. Nightclubs and camping can also be found. The local fishing industry has nearly disappeared and has been replaced by intensive agriculture in greenhouses that can be found along this stretch of coast. From the nearby Market of Vittoria green-products get exported to all Europe.
Many and different cultural and musical events characterize the summer season of Marina di Ragusa whose popularity hits the highest level during the feast of Santa Maria di Porto Salvo.
Since five years, Marina di Ragusa has received the "Blue Flag" eco-label, awarded by Fee (Foundation for Environmental Education) for the quality of its coast, water, services, safety measures and environmental education. This locality was elected one of the 10 most beautiful beaches in Italy by Trip Advisor.
The new marina of Marina di Ragusa was designed in the 1980s but after a short time works stopped until the years 2006-2008, when with European Funding it was possible to complete it. The new port aims to became one of the major tourist ports of the island. The new structure is the biggest tourist port of Sicily and can moor over 800 boats and the new offices for the Coast Guard. It was officially opened 3 July 2009. In 2010 shops, a supermarket and a bar were opened. Since the opening in 2009 the port has registered a steady traffic during the summer months and has seen an increase of mooring during the winter months due to the low fares applied by the managing company.
MARINA DI RAGUSA - Places to visit around
The geographical position in the south-eastern area of Sicily (Val di Noto), rich in baroque monuments, archaeological finds and vestiges of ancient civilizations, landscape sights and a fine gourmet tradition, allow you to enjoy the relax of a seaside holiday and many sites of artistic and cultural interest and to savour the past tastes of the Sicilian country tradition.
From Marina di Ragusa, it is possible to visit some of the most attractive and striking Sicilian sights which are close to Taormina, Mount Etna, Piazza Armerina, Caltagirone, Modica, Scicli, Ragusa Ibla, Donnafugata Castle and the Baroque cities in Val di Noto.