Page 97 - Lonely Planet Europe’s Best Trips (Travel Guide)

a Modica
Modica is a wonder-
fully atmospheric town
with medieval build-
IMAGESEF/SHUTTERSTOCK ©
ings climbing steeply
up either side of a deep
gorge. But unlike some
of the other Unesco-
listed cities in the area, it
doesn’t package its treas-
ures into a single easy-
to-see street or central
piazza: rather, they are
spread around the town
and take some discover- ITALY 6 WONDERS OF ANCIENT SICILY
ing. The highlight has to
be the baroque Chiesa
di San Giorgio (Corso San
Giorgio, Modica Alta; h8am-
12.30pm & 3.30-6.30pm),
which stands in isolated
splendour atop a majestic
250-step staircase.
Corso Umberto I is the
place to lap up the lively
local atmosphere. A wide
avenue flanked by grace-
ful palaces, churches,
restaurants, bars and
boutiques, it is where the
locals come to parade
during the passeggiata
(evening stroll).
Originally a raging river
flowed through town, but
after major flood damage
in 1902 it was dammed
and Corso Umberto was
built over it.
4 p99
The Drive » Head back onto
the SS115, which becomes quite
twisty as you close in on Noto,
40km away.

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