Modica

From International Gothic to present day

interno chiesa dall’ingresso verso l’altareThe interior of the church of Carmine features a classic Sicilian maiolica floor paired with a snow white wall with some architectural elements in relief such as capitals , arches, columns and the trabeation .
Their combination produces plays of light and shadow, achieved thanks to the rays of sunlight filtering through the windows. The altars, paintings such as the panel of St. Albert and the sculptural complex of the Annunciation add colour to and illuminate the church of Carmine. The white wooden structure behind the main altar is wonderful, embellished with golden stuccoes in the centre of which is the Madonna and Child.
foto dettaglio trabeazione foto dettaglio trabeazione
An astonishing discovery was made a few years ago: to the right of the apse , hidden in the wall, was the entrance to a side chapel of medieval, late-Gothic times. Traces remain of its ancient decoration and the funerary room beneath the floor.
struttura dietro l’altare

One city, two sites

A new site for a new church

The senses tell the story of the Church of San Giovanni Evangelista

A symbol for the town

Garden of Novices and the restorations by Giancarlo De Carlo

New roads for Catania

The senses tell the story of the Church of Santa Chiara

The senses tell the story of the Church of the Annunciation

A miniature city

St. Agatha and the giant candelabras

Norman apses

San Benedetto: a treasure reopened to the public

From the contrast of the exterior to the internal jubilation of colours

The senses tell the story of the Church of Santa Chiara

The Benedictine Monastery, one of the largest in Europe

St. Sebastian, so much work!

A talking palace

The senses tell the story of the church of San Giuseppe

The senses tell the Cathedral of Sant’Agata

The senses tell the story of the church of San Giovanni Battista

A new palace for the La Rocca lords

The Baroque town by the sea

San Nicolò l’Arena: an unfinished church

The theatre of taste

The Maiolica of the staircase

The senses tell the story of the Church of San Giuliano ai Crociferi

Limestone, the colour of harmony

A small room with a golden entrance

A triumph of colour

The disastrous earthquake

Freedom of worship and the role of the Catholic Church in the diffusion of Baroque

A half-Baroque church

Searching for colour

A hall for the feasts

The senses tell about Palazzo La Rocca

A Nobel Prize in Modica

Militello, the story of an enlightened fiefdom

The two churches

Some masterpieces

Some prestigious works

The chocolate of Modica

The senses tell the Benedictine Monastery and San NicoIò l’Arena

Two illustrious patron saints

The senses tell about Palazzo Nicolaci

Modica, a city with ancient origins

A new site for a new city

A colourful floor

From International Gothic to present day

The Staircase of Angels

The kitchen, a treasure chest of colours

Between white and black

The city of museums

A feast only for Scicli

The colours of the cathedral

A city in colour

A new entrance for Santa Chiara (St. Claire)

The Supernatural dimension of the chapel of the Santissimo Sacramento

A prominent church

An eagle-shaped city

A majestic and luminous church

Wonderful quick decorations

A long reconstruction

A design by Vincenzo Sinatra

Corbels: a celebration of the Nicolaci family

The Burgos crucifix

Fontana della Ninfa Zizza, public water in the town

The senses tell the story of the Badia di Sant’Agata

The role of the religious orders in rebuilding the Val di Noto

Discovering the mother church

Feast days

The senses tell the story of the Church of San Sebastiano

Prominent façade

The wall comes to life

A museum to save a tradition

Connections with other UNESCO sites

The church of Carmine

Rosario Gagliardi, the maestro of the Val di Noto

The character of Badia Sant’Agata

The senses tell the story of the church of Santa Maria del Carmelo

Palazzo Nicolaci di Villadorata, who is the architect?

Baroque and the loss of equilibrium in the 16th century

The façade used as a puppet theatre

The senses tell the Mother Church of San Nicolò and of the Santissimo Salvatore

The cathedral of Sant’Agata: a lengthy reconstruction

The Feast of San Giacomo (St. James)

The Infiorata, a feast of colours and flowers

Many owners, one palace

The internal colours

The senses tell about Palazzo Napolino Tommasi Rosso

The Barresi-Branciforte lords

Church of San Giuliano (St. Julian) on Via dei Crociferi: reconstruction

The senses tell the story of the staircase of Santa Maria del Monte

The interior and its masterpieces

Places of knowledge: the Benedictines’ library

Feasting in Palazzolo

The senses tell the story of the Church of San Benedetto

One city, three sites

From St. Thomas to St. Joseph

A square as the heart of the city