In 1693 Ragusa was devastated by a huge earthquake , which killed some 5,000 inhabitants . Following this catastrophe the city was largely rebuilt , and many Baroque buildings from this time remain in the city . Most of the population moved to a new settlement in the former district of Patro , calling this new municipality " Ragusa Superiore " ( Upper Ragusa ) and the ancient city " Ragusa Inferiore " ( Lower Ragusa ) . The two cities remained separated until 1926 , when they were fused together to become a provincial capital in 1927 at the expense of Modica , the former capital and the most populous and important city in the region since 1296
earthquake
1693 Sicily earthquake
Ragusa, Sicily