Rupestrian church of San Nicolò Inferiore

The rupestrian church of San Nicolò Inferiore, located on Via Clemente Grimaldi in the heart of Modica Bassa, represents one of the oldest and most precious testimonies of Christian worship in the city. Excavated directly into the rock between the 11th and 12th centuries, this underground church was rediscovered by chance in 1987 during private work, bringing to light a sacred environment of great historical and artistic value. The simple layout, with a rupestrian altar and semicircular apse, houses well-preserved frescoes of Byzantine origin, including the majestic figure of Christ Pantocrator, a symbol of power and divinity. Today, the church is a museum site accessible to visitors accompanied by expert guides, who illustrate its importance as a rare example of medieval sacred rock art in Sicily. This extraordinary place represents a deep link with Modica’s religious and cultural roots.