This Sicilian baroque town is known for its dark chocolate made from ancient Aztec recipes, and its UNESCO-listed churches built after the 1693 earthquake.
Modica spreads across steep hillsides in southeastern Sicily, where narrow streets lead to the San Giorgio Cathedral and its 250-step staircase. In the old town, chocolatiers at Antica Dolceria Bonajuto still make chocolate using 400-year-old Aztec methods, while baroque churches like San Pietro display intricate stone carvings and towering bell towers.
Layout of Upper and Lower Modica
Two distinct sections make up Modica: Modica Alta on the hilltop and Modica Bassa in the valley below. You can climb the 250-step staircase between these areas to see terracotta roofs and baroque buildings. Many visitors walk down from Upper to Lower Modica, or you can take the "Trenino Barocco" tourist train for €5, which runs a circular route between the two sections every hour from 10:00 to 18:00.
Baroque Churches and Architecture
The San Giorgio Cathedral rises 62 meters high at the top of 250 steps, with a sundial line marking time across its floor. The Church of San Pietro in Lower Modica has a 49-meter baroque bell tower. Both churches were rebuilt after the 1693 earthquake in the Sicilian Baroque style, with stone carvings of religious scenes and facades decorated with columns and statues.
Traditional Chocolate Making
Spanish colonists brought Aztec chocolate recipes to Sicily, establishing Modica's unique cold-pressing technique that creates a granular texture. Visit Antica Dolceria Bonajuto at Corso Umberto I, 159 (open since 1880) to watch chocolate-making demonstrations and taste varieties with chili, cinnamon, or vanilla. You can try free samples and buy bars starting at €4.
Local Food Beyond Chocolate
Try 'lolli', fresh hand-rolled pasta with baked broad beans, and 'scaccia', a folded flatbread filled with tomato, cheese, and vegetables. Find these dishes along Corso Umberto at restaurants like Cafe Adamo, which prepares traditional pasta dishes, and Accursio, which creates contemporary versions of Sicilian recipes. Main courses cost between €15-25.
Getting There and Around
Trains depart from Modica station (1.2 kilometers from the historic center) to Noto every two hours (€3.80 one-way) and to Siracusa hourly (€5.90 one-way). To reach Modica from Catania, change trains at Siracusa. If driving, park in Upper Modica - the castle parking lot has 200 spaces and charges €1 per hour.
