Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Sights & Activities
Chiesa di San Giorgio &
Modica Alta
(Corso San Giorgio; 8am-1pm & 3.30-7.30pm)
The high point of a trip to Modica - quite literally
as it's up in Modica Alta - is the Chiesa di San Giorgio, one of Sicily's most extraordinary
baroque churches. Considered Rosario Gagliardi's great masterpiece, it stands in isolated
splendour at the top of a majestic 250-step staircase, its sumptuous three-tiered facade
towering above the medieval alleyways of the historic centre.
The glitzy interior, a sun-lit kaleidoscope of silvers, golds and egg-shell blues, displays
all the hallmarks of early-18th-century Sicilian baroque.
CHURCH
Chiesa di San Giovanni
Evangelista
(off Piazza San Giovanni)
Marking the top of Modica Alta is this grand baroque church, pre-
faced by a sweeping staircase. Nearby, located at the end of Via Pizzo, a viewing balcony
offers great panoramas over the old town.
CHURCH
Corso Umberto I
Bisecting Modica Bassa, Corso Umberto I is the place to lap up the lively local atmo-
sphere. A wide avenue flanked by graceful palaces, churches, restaurants, bars and
boutiques, it is where the locals come to parade during the evening
passeggiata
. Origin-
ally a raging river ran through town, but after major flood damage in 1902 it was dammed
and Corso Umberto was built over it.
Obvious landmarks include the
Cattedrale di San Pietro
(Corso Umberto I)
, an impressive
church atop a rippling staircase lined with life-sized statues of the apostles; and the
Chiesa
Santa Maria del Carmine
(Piazza Matteoti;
STREET
9am-1pm & 4-7.30pm)
, also known as Santa Maria
dell'Annunziata.
For a break from baroque, head off the
corso
to Via Grimaldi where the
Chiesa Rupestre di
San Nicolò Inferiore
(Piazzetta Grimaldi; admission €2; 10am-1pm Mon-Sat, 4-7pm daily)
boasts some rich
Byzantine frescoes. Ring the bell for admission.
Back on the main street, next to the tourist office in Palazzo della Cultura, the
Museo
Civico
(Corso Umberto I 149; admission €3;
10am-1pm & 4-7pm Tue-Sun)
houses Modica's collection
