What is the Ragusa Conversation Circle and who built it?

The Ragusa Conversation Club is a neoclassical building constructed in the mid-19th century by prominent Ragusan nobles including Vincenzo Arestia La Rocca, Pasquale Di Quattro, and several barons, who created it as an exclusive private retreat for themselves. The club was designed to provide a place where they could spend leisure time away from ordinary people in an elegant, sophisticated setting.

What are the main architectural features I'll see on the Conversation Circle's facade?

The facade features a sober neoclassical style with about 10 meters in length, six pilasters flanking three entrances, and decorative bas-reliefs including two winged women holding a lamp in the central panel and sphinxes with lion bodies in the side panels. At the top is a sculptural group displaying the Ragusa eagle shield flanked by lions with human faces and flower festoons.

What can I see inside the Ragusa Conversation Circle?

Inside, seven 19th-century rooms showcase original period furnishings including curtains, sofas, mirrors, chandeliers, and sculptures that transport visitors back in time. The central room features four large sofas with ornate mirrors, a magnificent wrought-copper chandelier, and a tempera painting by artist Tino del Campo depicting Aurora with figures of Michelangelo, Dante, Galileo, and Bellini in the corners, plus an indoor flower garden for relaxation.

Is the Conversation Circle open to visitors and how can I visit?

The Circle remains privately used by members but is open to the public for meetings and lectures with permission from the club members. Contact ahead to inquire about visiting opportunities, as access depends on the club's schedule and availability for public events.

Has the Ragusa Conversation Circle appeared in any famous films or TV shows?

Yes, the elegant building was featured in the Commissario Montalbano episode titled 'The Smell of the Night,' which brought the historic venue into the spotlight for fans of the popular Italian television series. This appearance has made it a notable attraction for lovers of both architecture and Italian crime drama.

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Conversation Circle

Name: Conversation Circle
Rating: 4.1

Via Alloro, 5, 97100 Ragusa RG, Italia• ★★★★☆• 305 views

Teresa Portman

Ragusa

Restaurants, Bars & Cafes · Ragusa

The Ragusa Conversation Club was built in the mid-19th century in the neoclassical style on the initiative of a number of Ragusan nobles, including Vincenzo Arestia La Rocca, Pasquale Di Quattro, Baron Carmelo Arezzo of Tre Filetti, Knight Giuseppe Arezzi and Baron Francesco Arezzo of Donnafugata. The goal was to provide them with a place where they could spend their free time, isolated and away from ordinary people.The facade of the Circle presents a sober and elegant appearance, with about 10 meters in length, in neoclassical style. Above the three entrances, flanked by six pilasters, are bas-reliefs depicting two winged women holding a lamp in the central panel, while the side panels feature two winged sphinxes with lion bodies and women's faces. At the top of the elevation, above the inscription "Circolo di Conversazione," is a sculptural group depicting a shield with the Ragusa eagle, flanked by two lions with human faces and flower festoons.Inside, the Circle consists of seven 19th-century style rooms, where the original furnishings of the period, such as curtains, sofas, mirrors, chandeliers and some sculptures, are still well preserved. These elements easily transport you to the atmosphere of the period. The central room is particularly important, furnished with four large sofas topped by huge mirrors with 19th-century frames and a large wrought-copper chandelier. On the ceiling is an important tempera painting by Ragusa painter Tino del Campo, depicting the allegory of the aurora, while the four corners feature half-length figures of Michelangelo, Dante, Galileo and Bellini. The Circle also has an indoor flower garden used for moments of relaxation.The Conversation Club is not a monument relegated to the past, but is still used, albeit privately, and is open to the public for meetings and lectures, thanks to the kind permission of members.The cameras of Commissioner Montalbano entered this elegant building in the episode "The Smell of the Night," but it is known to the general television audience as "Dr. Pasquano's Circle."