The Duomo of San Giorgio is a Baroque church located in Ragusa Ibla, old part of Ragusa. Its construction began in 1738 and ended in 1775.
The church is one of the greatest expressions of Baroque style and religious architecture in Ragusa. It was designed by Rosario Gagliardi of Noto, an architect and a prominent figure of the then artistic movement. It stands on top of a monumental staircase and its angled position pointing to the square amplifies its majesty and plastic effects, also exalted by a slightly convex front side. The façade, with three orders, was built following the “tower” pattern: it grows up like a pyramid and incorporates the bell tower into the façade ending with a bulbous pinnacle.
The central door is finely carved with six high-reliefs made by Palermo native artist Vincenzo Fiorelli in 1793. Images depict the martyrdom of San Giorgio. In the second order, there is a frame with carvings adorned with a stained-glass window, which shows San Giorgio slaying the dragon; on the sides, it stands the equestrian statues of San Giorgio and St. James the Apostle. The third order, instead, contains the belfry on top of which stands an antique clock. Next to it, there are two statues of San Pietro and San Paolo.The church’s Latin cross plan is characterized by three naves separated by two sturdy columns.
References:Celje Castle was once the largest fortification on Slovenian territory. The first fortified building on the site (a Romanesque palace) was built in the first half of the 13th century by the Counts of Heunburg from Carinthia on the stony outcrop on the western side of the ridge where the castle stands. It had five sides, or four plus the southern side, which was a natural defence. The first written records of the castle date back to between 1125 and 1137; it was probably built by Count Gunter. In the western section of the castle, there was a building with several floors. Remains of the walls of this palatium have survived. In the eastern section, there was an enclosed courtyard with large water reservoirs. The eastern wall, which protects the castle from its most exposed side, was around three metres thicker than the rest of the curtain wall. The wall was topped with a parapet and protected walkway.