What to see in Modica, itinerary including the main monuments and places of interest, including the Cathedral of San Giorgio, Cava d'Ispica, necropolis and Palazzo degli Studi.
Tourist information
The oldest urban nucleus of the city is Modica Alta, which is perched on the rocks of the hill between the gorges of two rivers, while in the valley stands Modica Bassa, where once the two rivers Pozzo dei Pruni and Iannu Mauru converged to form the Modicano , whose riverbed was covered due to devastating floods that occurred in the early twentieth century.
In place of the ancient river bed, Corso Umberto I develops, the main street of the city, lined with important architectural and artistic elements.
Modica Sorda is the new part of the city, where various commercial activities are located.
The city has very ancient origins, thanks to its position and its territory characterized by numerous caves, where all the various civilizations have overlapped since the Neolithic age.
About 15 km from the current city of Modica is Cava d'Ispica, a narrow river valley that descends towards the sea between steep walls, where caves and ravines guard prehistoric necropolises, Christian catacombs, cave oratories, monastic hermitages and housing units of various type.
In the historic center of Modica there is the Quartiriccio necropolis, dating back to 2200 BC, in an excellent state of conservation.
What see
The Baroque style, created with the reconstruction after the 1693 earthquake, characterizes this fascinating city, we can admire some examples by visiting one of the maximum expressions of the Sicilian Baroque, consisting of the Cathedral of San Giorgio, located at the top of a grand staircase, or the Church of Soccorso, built in 1630, when the Jesuits, at the behest of Vittoria Colonna Countess of Modica, arrived in the city, founding schools and assistance centers.
Attached to the church is the Palazzo degli Studi, where graduation degrees were already awarded in the seventeenth century, which today houses the Liceo Classico.
The Church of San Pietro is preceded by a scenic staircase, while the Church of Carmine is one of the oldest ecclesiastical architecture in the city.
Near the church of San Pietro, and the staircase leading to the Castle, there is the small Church of San Nicolò lower, a remarkable example of rock architecture.
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In the upper part of Modica on a rocky outcrop there are the remains of the castle, an interesting destination from an archaeological point of view and an excellent panoramic point of view.
In Modica Alta there is the Cathedral of San Giovanni, placed on top of a long and elegant staircase, with the cross fixed to the apex of the spire which represents the highest point of the city.
From a gastronomic point of view, Modica is famous for its chocolate, with a very original taste, produced following an ancient Aztec recipe.
