Modica

We finally did some exploring of our own backyard today, the town of Modica.  This is a terrific town and a great place to stay.  The town is divided into two sections, the upper area is called Modica Alta and the lower area is called Modica Bassa, we are staying in Modica Bassa.  Bassa is located at the meeting point of two rivers, but the rivers were channelled and covered over after a terrible flood in 1902.  The main street of Corso Umberto runs along the former riverbed, as such, it is a wide street.  The upper town is a series of terraces with a lot of steps and narrow alleyways.

Modica is a chocolate lover’s paradise, chocolate shops are numerous.  In the 16th century, cocoa beans were imported from Mexico and made into chocolate.  They used the ancient Aztec method of slowly grinding the beans between stones and then added maize.  Today, rather than using the usual industrialized method of chocolate making, they still grind the beans slowly to prevent overheating.  Sugar is added near the end of grinding so it does not melt; thus, the consistency is grainy.  There are many natural flavours added:  spices, citrus, vanilla, salt and hot pepper to name a few.

Modica Alta

Lots of steps up to Modica Alta, we can fly up steps and hardly notice them.  Dare I say it, we love steps!  They are a fast way to get to where we are going and far more interesting than taking streets.

Looking down from Modica Alta.

That is termed a broken pediment, it all started with examples of Roman wall painting from Pompei.  Interesting figure on horseback stabbing at a some type of winged beast.

One of the many Baroque churches in town.  Quite the concave versus convex and a lot of columns and ornamentation concentrated in the centre.

More steps to take us up.

This is a decoration under a balcony, the beastie is handing it to the snake, poor snake is thinking he may be doomed.

Corso Umberto down in Modica Bassa.

Lemon grove near Villa Romana del Tellero

Villa Romana del Tellaro - Mid 4th century AD

The villa would have been built by a wealthy Roman family in the later stages of the Roman Empire in the west.  It is in a rich agricultural area; therefore, we can assume land ownership was in the from of large estates, under the control of aristocratic Roman families.  The artists who created the mosaics were likely from North Africa, as there are similarities with the great houses in North Africa, which was under Roman rule as well.

The villa had been destroyed by a fire in the mid 5th century AD, in the 17th century, a farmhouse was built right over the villa.  It was not until the 1970's that the villa was discovered.  The mosaic floors were detached and restored, then moved back to the site.

The tiger is part of a damaged mosaic.  The mosaics evoke myth or tell stories.

The geometric mosaic floor was in the peristyle court and portico.  Garlands of laurel leaves swirl and flow around medallions, the geometry is extraordinary.

Dancing satyr and maenad surrounded by a ribbon giving a three-dimensional effect.  The representation of the maenad’s garment is so well done, it flows.

The next four photos are all from one huge hunt panel with a lot going on.  It was impossible to photograph the entire mosaic.

These six horses belong to a group of men having a luncheon, they are sitting around a barbeque while slaves wait on them.

The lion is dining on a gazelle or antelope, which is laid out under the lion’s feet.  But he is interrupted by a hunter with a shield and a spear.

A slave is pulling on an agitated horse while another slave is pulling on oxen which are hitched to a cart.  Another slave is helping to move the cart along, while a knight rides along on a horse.  The white lines represent the movement of water as they are crossing a swamp.

The entire mosaic is surrounded by panels of birds and three dimensional swastikas.

We are having a torrential rain tonight.  It was also pouring this morning, but the rain let up long enough for us to walk around Modica and drive over to Villa Romana del Tellaro to view the mosaics.  Things are supposed to improve tomorrow, we are dithering about what we want to see, there is never enough time to see all that we are interested in.  This entire trip could have been spent in Sicily, there is so much of historical interest, this is an incredible travel destination.  We can certainly understand why people fall for this place.