Baroque Randonnée

A randonnée between art and endurance in the saddle

The Baroque Randonnée is one of the most beloved events in the Sicilian cycling calendar. It is a non-competitive brevet (a randonnée, in the tradition of audax) organized by the ASD Nuova Ortigia of Syracuse: not a race, but a great endurance ride where each participant follows a set route autonomously, respecting maximum time limits and checkpoints along the way. The goal is not to finish first, but to complete one's personal challenge while immersed in the beauty of the territory.

The charm of the late Baroque of the Val di Noto

The common thread of the event is the Sicilian late Baroque, the ultimate expression of the rebirth following the devastating earthquake of January 11, 1693, which leveled the entire Val di Noto. From the rubble, cities were rebuilt according to a unique architectural language, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. While pedaling, participants pass through centers such as Palazzolo Acreide, Canicattini Bagni, Sortino, and Buccheri, and approach Ragusa, authentic treasure chests of 18th-century churches, palaces, and urban scenery.

The routes: from the Iblei Mountains to the Ionian Sea

The randonnée offers routes of varying lengths that wind between the mountainous hinterland and the coast, combining the challenging elevation of the Iblei with the breeze of the Ionian shoreline:

• 100 km: the most accessible route, designed for cycle tourists and long-distance beginners.
• 200 km: the classic randonnée distance, with a challenging elevation gain that pushes into the heart of the Iblei.
• 300 km: the extended version, a true endurance test with over 3,700 meters of total elevation gain, reserved for the most trained ultra-cyclists.

The tracks touch the Ionian coast near Avola and Cassibile and offer views of Capo Murro di Porco and the Maddalena peninsula before returning to the Belvedere.

Departure from the Belvedere of Syracuse

The event's headquarters is the Belvedere, a hilly district in the upper part of the Syracuse plateau: a strategic point from which all routes start and return. The event takes place in the Municipality of Syracuse, in Sicily, and involves the territories of the provinces of Syracuse, Ragusa, and Catania.

Who it is for

The Baroque Randonnée is open to all amateur cyclists who meet the requirements for audax brevets. It is the ideal opportunity for those who wish to combine long-distance training with the discovery of one of Italy's most fascinating territories, in a climate of friendship, sharing, and passion for cycling.