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.