Modica

Encyclopedia : M : MO : MOD : Modica

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Modica is a city in the Province of Ragusa, Sicily. The city is situated in the Iblean mountains and, along with Val di Noto, is part of UNESCO Heritage Sites in Italy.

History

The city was founded by the Sicels circa the 7th century BCE when it was known as "Motyca", this was also the period of the Greek Colonization of Sicily. Later it was occupied by the Romans who expanded the city. In 845 Modica was captured by the Arabs who referred to the city as "Mudiqah". During the 11th century the city was taken by the Normans led by Roger of Hauteville. In the 13th and 14th centuries Modica was under Spanish Aragon rule, under the Counts of Gualtieri. This title and position was held in succession by six other noble Italian families, the Mosca, Chiaramonte, Cabrera, Henriquez, Alvarez and finally the Fitz-Stuart. However by the time of the latter three dynasties the title of Count was meaningless and carried little power, and Modica was ruled like all of Sicily by the Spanish Viceroy from Palermo. This situation continued until the 18th century when Sicily was ruled from first Vienna, then in the late 18th and early 19th century as part of the Kingdom of Sicily from Naples, (this Kingdom changed its name to the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies), and then finally after the Risorgimento it was unified with the rest of Italy, as it remains today.

Over the centuries as the city developed it gradually became divided into "Modica Alta" (Upper Modica) and "Modica Bassa" (Lower Modica). During the last century the city has extended and developed new suburbs which include Modica Sorda, Monserrato, Idria, these are often referred to as Modern Modica; both old and modern quarters of the city are today joined by Europe's highest bridge (300 m).

Main sights

Despite being ravaged by earthquakes in 1613 and 1693 and floods in 1833 and 1902, Modica has some of the most beautiful architecture in Sicily, in the Sicilian Baroque style. The city possesses a large Baroque Cathedral dedicated to San Giorgio. While the cathedral was rebuilt following the earthquake of 1693, like many other parts of the city its roots are in the Middle Ages.

In Modica Alta is a second cathedral dedicated to San Giovanni, which has a principal façade crowned by a typical Sicilian Baroque belltower, 49 m in height.

Economy

The economy of the area once principally agricultural producing olives, carobs, legumes, cereals, and cattle; has now been joined by factories producing textiles, furniture and cars. Tourism is also an important industry to the area.

Modica was the birth place of Salvatore Quasimodo, a writer and 1959’s Nobel Prize, and also of Tommaso Campailla, the 18th century scientist and philosopher.

 

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