Un viaggio nel cuore del barocco siciliano, tra chiese monumentali, musei insoliti e suggestivi belvedere. Il centro storico di Modica è un gioiello da esplorare a piedi, tra sapori, cultura e architetture che raccontano secoli di storia.
Modica Barocca: la città dei Conti
Modica
Barocco, Chiese, Percorsi nella città
1 giorno
A piedi
Fun Fact: Modica è famosa per il suo cioccolato lavorato "a freddo" secondo l’antica tecnica azteca. Una tradizione che ha conquistato il mondo.
The route:
Duomo di San Giorgio
The Cathedral of San Giorgio is Modica's most majestic monument and one of the masterpieces of Sicilian Baroque. It was built over medieval buildings after the arrival of Ruggero d'Altavilla and, rebuilt several times after major earthquakes (1542, 1613, 1693), took on its current appearance between the 18th and 19th centuries. Architectural masterpieces such as the scenic staircase (up to 260 steps) and the 62 m high tower-facade emphasise its theatricality. Inside, a Latin-cross layout with 22 Corinthian columns, stucco work, frescoes, a monumental organ and works by Bernardino Nigro, Paladini, Cane and sculptors from Gagini create an impressive artistic itinerary. The floor sundial from 1895 and the “Santa Cassa” increase the cultural and historical value. A place of faith and identity, every year it is the scene of solemn processions, in particular that of St George, the city's patron saint. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is an essential stop for anyone visiting Modica who wants to immerse themselves in the splendour of the Eastern Baroque.
The birthplace of Salvatore Quasimodo
The birthplace of Salvatore Quasimodo, located in Via Posterla in Modica, is the place where one of the greatest Italian poets of the 20th century, winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature, was born in 1901. Transformed today into a museum house, it jealously preserves the original furnishings, personal objects and the famous Olivetti typewriter with which Quasimodo composed his works, offering an authentic and intimate atmosphere. The simple, intimate environment recounts the poet's humble origins and life through photographs, documents, manuscripts and texts on display, allowing visitors to come into contact with his human and artistic experience. The house represents a fundamental reference point for lovers of literature and culture, becoming a space of living memory and a profound symbol of the cultural identity of the city of Modica.
Chocolate Museum of Modica
The Chocolate Museum of Modica, located along the central Corso Umberto I, is a unique homage to the city's celebrated chocolate-making tradition, famous in Europe for its special “cold” processing, of Aztec origin, which gives Modica chocolate a grainy texture and unmistakable flavour. Opened in 2014, the museum offers visitors a fascinating journey through the history of chocolate, ancient tools and traditional production methods, illustrated through interactive exhibits, explanatory panels and educational workshops. Among the most spectacular attractions are the chocolate sculptures, including a detailed map of Italy carved entirely with great skill. The museum also holds valuable documents related to the PGI recognition of Modican chocolate. Today it represents an essential reference point for gastronomic and cultural tourism in the city, celebrating a product that is a true symbol of Modican identity.
Cathedral of San Pietro
The Cathedral of San Pietro, located along the central Corso Umberto I in Modica Bassa, is one of the city's most important and representative religious buildings and a magnificent example of Sicilian Baroque art. The current structure is the result of reconstruction in the 18th century, following the devastating 1693 earthquake that struck the entire Val di Noto. Its elegant façade in local limestone is embellished with twisted columns, niches with Baroque statues and an imposing staircase adorned with twelve statues depicting the Apostles, giving the complex a scenic and solemn appearance. The interior, divided into three naves, is decorated with fine stucco work, artistic side altars and a ceiling frescoed with sacred motifs. Of particular note are the high altar in polychrome marble and the recently restored 18th-century organ. Today, the cathedral is not only an active place of worship but also a cultural centre, a witness to Modica's faith and millennial history.
The Collegiate Church of Santa Maria di Betlem
The Collegiate Church of Santa Maria di Betlem is one of the oldest and most significant churches in Modica, an authentic treasure chest of history, art and faith that has its roots in the 14th century. Over the centuries, it has undergone numerous structural and stylistic interventions that have enriched its architectural profile. The current façade is divided into two distinct orders: the first, in Renaissance style, dates back to the end of the 16th century, while the second, in Neoclassical style, was built between 1816 and 1821, following extension and consolidation works. The interior, divided into three naves, preserves an elegant painted wooden ceiling, a fine pulpit carved in local stone and a fully functioning 18th-century organ. Of great devotional and artistic importance is the wooden statue of Our Lady of Bethlehem, kept in a side chapel and venerated by the faithful of Modica. The Collegiate Church represents one of the highest expressions of the city's spirituality and religious tradition.
Church of San Giovanni evangelist
The Church of San Giovanni Evangelista, located in Piazza San Giovanni in Modica Alta, is one of the most important examples of post-earthquake Modican Baroque. Rebuilt in the 18th century on an earlier medieval church, it is distinguished by its façade articulated on three orders with niches and columns, flanked by a bell tower. Access is via a scenic staircase that also leads to a large panoramic belvedere. The interior, with a single nave, preserves a rich artistic heritage: a marble high altar, gilded stuccoes, wooden statues and 18th-century paintings. The decorated wooden ceiling completes the atmosphere of solemnity and recollection. The church is a symbol of the religious and artistic rebirth after the 1693 earthquake and a spiritual reference point for Modica Alta.
The Garibaldi Theatre
The Garibaldi Theatre in Modica, inaugurated in 1857, is one of the city's most important and evocative historical theatres. Located in the heart of Modica Bassa, along the central Corso Umberto I, it has an elegant neoclassical façade embellished with refined Art Nouveau details that highlight its prestige and history. Inside, the structure is organised with a wide stall and numerous boxes arranged in a horseshoe shape, typical of 19th-century theatres, offering an optimal view of the stage from every point. The ceiling, finely frescoed and decorated, contributes to a refined and cosy atmosphere. The stage, fitted with modern equipment, hosts plays, concerts, operas and other cultural events, making the theatre the beating heart of Modica's artistic life. Named after Italian national hero Giuseppe Garibaldi, the theatre represents a symbol of cultural and social identity for the local community.
The “Franco Libero Belgiorno” Civic Museum
The “Franco Libero Belgiorno” Civic Museum, established in the 1950s and housed in the evocative Palazzo della Cultura in Modica, holds one of the most important archaeological and historical collections in the Hyblean territory. The collections, mainly from the excavations in Cava Ispica, cover a time span from prehistory to the Middle Ages and include ceramics, votive objects, coins, utensils and religious artefacts, thus offering a complete and fascinating picture of the life and culture of the territory's ancient populations. The museum is named after Modican archaeologist Franco Libero Belgiorno, a key figure in the promotion of excavations and the protection of local heritage. In addition to the permanent exhibition, the museum regularly hosts temporary exhibitions and educational activities for schools and visitors, establishing itself as a fundamental point of reference for the culture and history of Modica and the entire Hyblean area.
The Castle of the Counts of Modica
The Castle of the Counts of Modica is one of the city's symbolic monuments and represents an important historical and architectural testimony. It stands in a dominant position on a rocky spur, whose sheer walls give the building a majestic and imposing appearance. The origins of the castle date back to medieval times, but the current structure is the result of later reconstructions, particularly after the devastating earthquake of 1693. For centuries, from the 14th to the 19th century, it was the seat of power of the County of Modica, one of the most important and influential fiefdoms of the Kingdom of Sicily. Of the ancient fortified structure, a 14th-century polygonal tower remains visible, as well as bastions, underground chambers and underground passages that add to its charm. From its summit there is a splendid view of Modica Alta and Bassa, among the most beautiful in the area. Today, thanks to recent restoration work, the castle can be visited and is part of the Val di Noto UNESCO heritage site.