The Sicilian way of life is fascinating. Being the biggest island in the Mediterranean, with close connections to Italy, Sicily has acted as a gateway to travelers for many centuries. This mix of cultures has left behind a medley of architectural styles, a colorful variety of cuisine, and an array of unique traditions.
Modica
Modica is an attractive historic town in south-eastern Sicily, one of the area's UNESCO-listed Baroque towns. Modica is particularly famous for its chocolate, and it is an appealing destination for food-lovers, making a good holiday base or day-trip destination.
Modica is situated in the dramatic landscape of the Monti Iblei, a range of high ground divided up by deep valleys and surprisingly populous towns. Important in Medieval times, Modica was rebuilt after the great earthquake of 1693 and now boasts fine late-Baroque architecture as well as a medieval old town.
Modica is a Sicilian city of chocolate - you can see chocolate on practically every corner. There is a free tasting of any type of chocolate, bearing in mind that there are 20+ different types in each store, which are sometimes really different. It is a paradise on earth for every chocolate lover. Have you ever tried cactus chocolate?
Modica has an exceptional number of impressive churches, including two large baroque cathedrals. The Duomo di San Pietro was originally built in the fourteenth century, but was destroyed in earthquakes in 1613 and again in 1693, before being rebuilt in the Baroque style in the eighteenth century. The church dominates this part of Corso Umberto, and its steps are decorated with large statues of apostles and saints. Higher up the slopes towards the old town perches the theatrical Duomo di San Giorgio, Modica Alta's cathedral, and the town's most remarkable building. Like most of the area's great architecture, it was created in the local Baroque style.
If you like stairs this is the right place for you. ;) Climbing to the left of the church, you can explore the steep labyrinth of rural apartments, some dilapidated, some well-kept, some for sale.
At the top is the Belvedere Pizzo, a good lookout with benches and views of the Modica valleys. Along the street from here is another imposing church, the Chiesa di San Giovanni from the nineteenth century, with another large staircase and an extravagant facade.
Don't forget to look up at the imposing clock tower high on the hill, which is located on the ruins of the ancient Castle of the Counts, which reflects the prosperity and wealth that the county has had since the thirteenth century. A large mechanical counterweight watch, which is still fully functional. The clock tower has always been considered the "symbol" of the ancient noble city of Modica, it is perhaps the most photographed monument of the city.
Next on my list is the fishing village and hamlet of Scicli, Donnalucata. Thanks for reading the article I hope you liked it, and we’ll read on in the next one. 😀😀
Comments
Post a Comment