MODICA /
Architecture
Architecture
Modica: Baroque city, UNESCO World Heritage Site. The striking architecture of the old town, churches, monuments, buildings from the Gothic elements.
Modica is also known as the baroque town, after the devastating earthquake that struck eastern Sicily in 1693. The city was rebuilt in a sumptuous baroque architectural style, visible both in urban and religious buildings and monuments. The town of Modica was included, on the list of World Heritage Sites for its historical centre, along with the Val di Noto, in 2002.
The prevailing style of the monuments is identified as late Baroque style, but, with regards to Modica, we should identify it as southern-eastern Sicilian Baroque, or in other words the architectural style that is characterises the reconstruction of the whole area after the earthquake. But what makes the city so unique and fascinating is the presence of picturesque lanes and streets, with old shops, old small houses and rich palaces. The city lies on the sides of two valleys and the plains of the hills above - it is a maze of houses, streets and long stairs, which evoke the medieval historical centre style - all wrapped around the spur of the hill of Pizzo, on which the unreachable Castle of the Counts, with its majestic clock tower, was situated . It remains one of the most iconic symbols of the city.
The imposing baroque facades of the churches - including the famous Cathedral of St. George, set like a jewel in the neighborhood behind it, and that of the Church of St. peter, enhanced by the impressive staircase with statues of the Apostles - alternate with the elegant architecture of large buildings, such as Palazzo degli Studi, Palazzo Grimaldi, Palazzo de 'Mercy, not to mention the beautiful Garibaldi Theatre.
No less important are the few remains of the "previous city": The Gothic portal of the Carmine church; ruins of the church of Santa Maria del Gesù, dating back to the sixteenth century; the Chapel of the Sacrament of the fifteenth century; the , the twelfth century antique church of the San Niccolò, recently discovered, whose frescoes of the Byzantine era are well- preserved and unique in the territory.
The prevailing style of the monuments is identified as late Baroque style, but, with regards to Modica, we should identify it as southern-eastern Sicilian Baroque, or in other words the architectural style that is characterises the reconstruction of the whole area after the earthquake. But what makes the city so unique and fascinating is the presence of picturesque lanes and streets, with old shops, old small houses and rich palaces. The city lies on the sides of two valleys and the plains of the hills above - it is a maze of houses, streets and long stairs, which evoke the medieval historical centre style - all wrapped around the spur of the hill of Pizzo, on which the unreachable Castle of the Counts, with its majestic clock tower, was situated . It remains one of the most iconic symbols of the city.
The imposing baroque facades of the churches - including the famous Cathedral of St. George, set like a jewel in the neighborhood behind it, and that of the Church of St. peter, enhanced by the impressive staircase with statues of the Apostles - alternate with the elegant architecture of large buildings, such as Palazzo degli Studi, Palazzo Grimaldi, Palazzo de 'Mercy, not to mention the beautiful Garibaldi Theatre.
No less important are the few remains of the "previous city": The Gothic portal of the Carmine church; ruins of the church of Santa Maria del Gesù, dating back to the sixteenth century; the Chapel of the Sacrament of the fifteenth century; the , the twelfth century antique church of the San Niccolò, recently discovered, whose frescoes of the Byzantine era are well- preserved and unique in the territory.
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