MODICA, THE CHOCOLATE CITY

Another stop on our way to Agrigento was in Modica, one of the eight UNESCO heritage Val di Noto towns and cities in south-eastern Sicily.   It was another town that was completly devastated in the earthquake of 1893 and was rebuilt in baroque style.   The town is in a deep gorge between the Iblei Mountains and has two parts - Modica Alta and Modica Bassa (Lower Modica).  We began our journey in Modica Bassa.   The main street is Corso Umberto and we took the Trenino Barocco that travels from Modica Bassa to Modica Alta.  The trip took 40  minutes and saved us from walking up  the old steep stairs that connect the two parts of the town. 

When Spain took over Modica, they brought with them chocolate and taught the residents the Aztec methods of chocolate making.   Modica’s  chocolate is flavored with different flavors and the sugar in their chocolate remains granulous.  Antica Dolcerio Bonajuto is the oldest chocolate shop in Sicily and was created by the Bonajuto family.  To learn more go to:.  https://www.bonajuto.it/en/