The Palace of Cancelleria

The Palazzo della Cancelleria, located along the charming Salita Commendatore in Ragusa Ibla, was erected in the 18th century to house the city’s administrative and judicial offices. Characterised by an elegant Sicilian Baroque style, the palace is distinguished by a sober but refined façade, enriched by a rusticated portal and a central balcony that emphasise its nobility and institutional function. After the devastating earthquake of 1693, the Palazzo della Cancelleria became one of the symbols of Ragusa’s civil rebirth, embodying secular power and the community’s desire for reconstruction. Over the centuries, it has maintained a central role in the city’s administration and today still houses municipal offices. In addition, it is sometimes used as a venue for temporary cultural exhibitions, thus reinforcing its connection to the social and cultural life of the city. It is one of the key monuments for understanding Ragusa’s institutional and architectural history.