RagusaSanta Croce Camerina.
Its territory includes the ruins of the ancient
Camarina, q.v. The modem town was founded in 1598
by Giovambattista Celestri, Marquis of Santa Croce,
on the site of a pre-existing 15th c. hamlet.
The 18th c. Chiesa Madre, San Giovanni Battista
contains the funeral monument of the Marquises of
the Celestri family and a statue of St Joseph by
Salvatore Bagnasco. The architecture of the town
is characterized by interesting art nouveau buildings:
Pa1azzo Bice beside the Chiesa Madre, Palazzo Celestri
Sant'Elia, Palazzo Vitale-Ciarcià and other
delightfully decorated minor buildings.
