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UNESCO World Heritage Committee is one of the most revealing institutions that mankind ever created. Not only has it encouraged the preservation of highly important sites all around the world but it also disseminates information on the cultural discoveries. It is not far-fetched to consider culture one of the key factors of our existence, and if UNESCO hadn’t acknowledged the sensitivity of Modica, there is a slight chance that nowadays the city would have been less known.

The city resides in the Hyblaean Mountains, in the province of Ragusa. The city went through tough reinforcement after 1693 when an earthquake destroyed it and other cities surrounding it as well. Subsequently, the city was given a whole new lifestyle by the assimilation of Sicilian Baroque features.

Churches that display intriguing domes, bell towers that attract all eyes and ears, castles reigning on top of low hills create a cluster of beauty and knowledge that becomes irresistible. It’s quite a hypnosis exercise that the Church of San Giorgio, Church of San Pietro, Chiesa del Carmine, Church of St. Mary of Betlehem, Garibaldi Theater succeed in deploying daily. The magnificence is omnipresent but there is one impressive site that lies within uniqueness. The Castello dei Conti of Modica is a rare view. It is set at the triangular point of two depressions. Built in the 14th century, the edifice was submitted to the high patronage of the counts of Modica who explored their hegemony until the castle was turned into a prison.

Even if the past of the manor is built on serial restorations and reinforcements, the edifice managed to preserve important features and objects of gone ages. The four imposing round towers are displayed in an alternating order and add up to the attraction.

Within the restored wings there lies an ethnic- agrarian- handcraft museum that preserves both objects from the past and characteristics of rural civilizations. The site strongly participates in raising the city’s economical status as it attracts numerous eyes from all over the world. Local creations bring about their own share of impressiveness. The chocolate of Modica has made the world tour building up a well-deserved notoriety. An ancient original Aztec recipe is the main culprit for the delicious taste.

Modica’s economic life is based on agriculture, textiles, furniture, cars and a touristic pump that 2002 brought when UNESCO listed the city. All its beauties stand by the daily agitation of the locals. They govern and inspire daily life that baths in the energy of the local culture. This energy is spread everywhere. Feeling it is only a matter of observation.