12. Palace of the Chancellery

Built in the first half of the 18th century by the Nicastro family, it was purchased by the municipality in the mid-19th century to be used as the Chancellery (Fig. a).
The sumptuous main façade rises above a small square which opens to the long flight of steps connecting Ragusa Superiore to Ragusa Ibla.
The façade is defined by two high pilasters that enclose the large tribune, which is the building’s most valuable feature (Fig. b).
In comparison to the pilasters and capitals that support it, the architrave of the entrance has strongly protruding lines. The balcony above, fitted with wrought iron railings in the shape of a goose chest, is supported by five sculpted corbels (Fig. c) and is framed by jambs bearing the faces of two cherubs and an architrave with a broken tympanum (Fig. d). The side façade bordering the Church of Idria is more sober while retaining the lines and characteristics of the late-Baroque style pilasters, (Fig. e). it features windows and two balconies at the top floor, which are very similar to the main façade.
The entrance continues on to a room, which leads down the staircase to the main floor, and a subsequent room with a limestone manger (Fig. f). The main floor consists of a succession of rooms as in use in the 18th century.