Please sign in to post.

Vigata church setting in Sicily

Can anybody here help me find the Sicilian church used as one of the churches in Vigata, the fictional town where Commissario Montalbano lives? I saw it again today while watching the first episode of the prequel, The Young Montalbano - The First Case. There is a fabulous church used in the settings with everything in threes. Three columns on each corner, three stories high, with a small white clock right at the centre of the very top, three large windows on the front, stairs to the left of the church going up, a ramp on the right; very Sicilian Rococo looking. I've never been to Sicily, but if I can find that piazza and that church I just might. I love the view!!

Posted by
52 posts

Nigel, I've wanted to do this tour since I first saw Inspector Montalbano. I LOVE Salvo! Perhaps the chuch you mentioned is Cathedral of San Giorgio in Ragusa Ibla: "You'll follow in the steps of Inspector Montalbano and the other members
of his team: his second-in-charge Mimì Augello, the efficient Fazio, the likeable Catarella. We make our way into Vigata in the province of Montelusa and stop in front of the police station (Scicli). Few steps away is the Questura or Commissioner's office of Montelusa. Then, we drive to Ragusa Ibla to see the Church of Vigata (Cathedral of San Giorgio) and other locations featured in "The shape of the water", "The voice of the violin" "The snack thief". Stop for lunch at "Trattoria San Calogero", the reastaurant that Montalbano goes to. In the afternoon, we continue to Punta Secca to see the exterior of Montalbano's house and Donnalucata (Marinella) where you can imagine him swimming in the Mediterranean Sea. Finally, we go to the Castello di Donnafugata (House of mafia boss Balduccio Sinagra) and the Pasture at "Pisciotto", the site of an abandoned factory that features in a couple of movies." Ciao, Charlotte

Posted by
32523 posts

Ciao ciao, Charlotte. Thank you so very much!!! That is exactly the place!! I've never wanted to go on tours but I, and my wife, that that might be the perfect way to see all the places. Wow!! Can you share who does the tour, per favore? Grazie.

Posted by
1499 posts

Well we did go to Sicily in April and we did find that piazza and church, as well as many other Montalbano sites. We only purposefully sought out Punta Seca and his house but found others just by wandering Modica, Scicli and Ragusa Ibla. But, of course, that wasn't the reason we went to Sicily. We spent 28 days driving around the coast and inland and found Sicily to be rich in Greek and Roman ruins as well as midieval Baroque towns, beautiful scenery, delicious food (the best pasta and sweets!). It's well worth the trip!

Posted by
52 posts

Ciao, Nigel Here's the link:
http://www.sicilytourguides.net/Montalbano_locations-tour.htm This month in the USA, MHz/PBS is showing the four new episodes of Montalbano, plus some documentaries on the making of Montalbano. You can also stay in Montalbano's home, (Salvo won't be there). It's a B n B! http://www.bed-and-breakfast-sicily.it/pagina.cfm?ID=628&provincia=RG We are staying in Rome and Southern Tuscany next year, but Sicily is high on the list for the future. Si!

Posted by
32523 posts

Thanks so much. The idea of a private tour is intimidating. Sounds expensive, too. Maybe with a car it could be done with a list of places, although I couldn't cover ground as fast as Salvo. You should try to see the prequels. The new cast give it their all and the locations are the same and the films are very convincing... we love it. Hmmm, maybe stay at Salvo's house, walk outside for a swim, life's tough. Good fish too.

Posted by
52 posts

Ciao, Nigel, Si, I've seen the Montalbano prequel. I liked the relationship of Fazio's father with the young Montalbano and how Salvo met Livia. The scenery and sets are always amazing. Carol, your 28 day trip of Sicily sounds amazing! Eh! I forget to mention another site for Sicily cultural tours and day trips. The website has lots of good information and a picture of the Ragusa church. Background: We took a class on the Minoan and Mycenaean cultures with Prof. Douglas Kenning at the Fromm Institute of Lifelong Learning (variety of day classes for ages over 50), which is part of the University of San Francisco. He is a Univ. of Cal/Berkeley professor of ancient history, focusing on Mediterranean societies. His grandparents were from Sicily. Part of the year he lives in Siracusa, Sicily and conducts tours and day trips with his two partners. Trips can be private and personalized. http://www.sicily-tour.com/32.html