• Modica

A beautiful small town in the Hyblaean Mountains, 70 km southwest of Syracuse and 17 km south of Ragusa.

Rebuilt following the 1693 earthquake, Modica represents outstanding Sicilian Baroque architecture combined with beautiful location.
The town consists of two parts, the older Modica Alta (Upper Modica) on a rocky hilltop, and Modica Bassa (Lower Modica) on the hill’s lower slopes and the valley below.

The old and modern quarters of Modica are connected by one of Europe’s highest bridges, the 300 meters long Guerrieri bridge.

In Modice Bassa, where palaces and houses rise-up from the bottom of the gorge stacked one on top of the other, visit the beautiful 17th century large Baroque Cathedral San Giorgio, and the church of San Pietro with its Sicilian Baroque 49 meters high bell tower.

There are a few more beautiful churches in Modica and the Mercedari Palace home to a library and museum.

As a heritage of the Spanish rule and its Cacao import from the Americas, Modica has 400 years tradition of Sicilian chocolate making based on Aztec methods and recipes.
The town specializes in the production of granulose chocolate often flavored with chili pepper, cinnamon, or vanilla. While tasting the great chocolate enjoy also the affucaparrinu biscuits, the almonds cakes, the macaroons, and the local mpanatiggi with almonds, chocolate, beef, and various spices.

The Italian Inspector Montalbano TV series was filmed in Modica in various locations such as the Church of San Giorgio and the impressive facade of the Palazzo Polara.

While in Modica, if you have an urge to swim in the Mediterranean, drive 25 km south to Marina di Modica, Sampieri, or to the Marina di Ragusa beaches, and enjoy a relaxed and tranquil leisure time.

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Cioccolato di Modica (Chocolate of Modica) sicilian specialty at the town of Modica, Ragusa Province, Sicily, Italy

The baroque Saint George cathedral of Modica and Duomo square. Historic center builded in late Baroque Style. Modica, Sicily, Italy