Page 389 - The Rough Guide of Sicily

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PUZZLING PLAQUES

Intrigued by the plaques that appear in various spots throughout the Siracusa and
Ragusa area, featuring a portrait of a bald man, architectural notes, strange

quotations and photographs of crime scenes? The explanation is that Italy’s most
popular TV crime series Montalbano, based on books penned by Antonio Camilleri,
is filmed in the area, especially Scicli itself, which serves as the town of Vigata in
the books and TV series. The building used as Montalbano’s house is on the beach at
the nearby resort of Punta Secca, while Scicli’s Municipio plays the part of the

police HQ.

Numerous people in Scicli organize Montalbano tours such as the summer-only Il
Treno di Montalbano (€45 per person; gogreensicily.blogspot.it), which departs
Siracusa by train, and includes a walking tour of Scicli, a Montalbano lunch, and a
bus to various nearby locations including Punta Secca.

Ragusa Ibla

The original lower town of Ragusa Ibla is totally charming, its appealing, stepped
alleys and dead-end courtyards a delight to wander around. Over the past decade or
so, Ibla (spurred on by European funding) has undergone a renaissance, with the
renovation of historic buildings and the opening of some stylish hotels and restaurants.

Something of a magnet for Americans and northern Europeans tired of the charms of