“Building” Vigata and its surroundings has been kind of a patchwork for the authors of Montalbano’s TV show. The settings you can see in the series are actually located across the whole Val di Noto area, famous for the Sicilian Baroque architectural style.
Driving around from Modica to Ragusa as well as in the surrounding area there are some stops you have to make if you are a Montalbano fan. You better be based in the South-east if you want to get a complete tour of the shooting locations, to do so you can rent one of our villas in Sicily in the area.
The Donnafugata Castle
Driving towards the town of Santa Croce Camerina you will find the signs for the beautiful Donnafugata Castle which has been used as shooting location for the home of boss Balduccio Sinagra.
This splendid noble residence, nestled in a large green park, is definitely worth a visit. You will be amazed by the beauty of the decorations and architecture. Climbing on the terrace you will immediately recognize the balcony where Montalbano meets the boss, you can admire the splendid view and vastness of the garden.
In the park of the castle you will find the labyrinth, where a few scenes of “A trip to Tindari” have been shoot and where you can venture to test your sense of orientation. The best time to visit the garden is of course the spring, when its flowers and plants explode in glowing colors.
Ragusa Ibla
Turning in direction of Ragusa you can visit at the old neighborhood of Ragusa Ibla, the oldest part of the city, where many outdoor scenes of the show have been filmed. Starting from Piazza Duomo and Via XXV Aprile you will find many familiar places while you admire one of the most beautiful old towns of Sicily. 
Wonder around the narrow streets and then climb the steps that will take you to the main square. Once in the square you will immediately notice the beautiful Duomo of St. George you can also see in the main square of Vigata.
Afterwards you find the Conversation Circle, which we saw in the episode “The Smell of Night” and where Montalbano goes to look for Pasquano, who is currently playing cards.
Walking on Via XXV Aprile at some point you will find yourself at Piazza Pola, in front of the church of San Giuseppe, which in the last episodes has been used as the seat of the Vigata’s police station. Next to the church there’s a well-known ice cream parlor and a shop selling the most varied and typical ragus cheeses. What can you want more?
Along this road you will find the restaurant La Rusticana, which in the fiction becomes the “Calogero” trattoria, where Montalbano goes to enjoy its favorite dishes, strictly fish-based.
Modica
Among the shooting locations in the baroque town of Modica, famous all over the world for its chocolate, you will surely recognize the staircase leading to Pasuquano’s home, and Polara Palace, part of the set in the episode ‘The Terracotta Dog’. The church of St. George of Modica is featured in the episode “A Trip to Tindari”.
Since you are in the area do not miss the chance to taste the Aztech chocolate of Modica, winner of international awards and appreciated all over the world!
pics by Niels Elgaard Larsen. source: Wikipedia
and by Okkiproject. source: Wikipedia
