The undiscovered jewel in southern Sicily, Modica was the ‘capital’ of the region from the 12th century. A disastrous flood in 1902 led to the rivers that ran through the town being covered over, and Modica lost its reputation as the Venice of the South. But Modica remains a magical city. Unlike most others in Sicily, the town is built in a valley instead of on a hilltop, and nestles between the sandstone ridges. The labyrinthine terraces climb up the gorges interspersed with baroque churches and roccoco palaces. The area is rich in history, there are regular events throughout the year, notably the giostra or joust in the summer and sagre which celebrate local produce, especially ricotta cheese and chocolate. The area is rich in gastronomic delights, and it is easy to find local specialities ranging from almonds, chocolate and honey to local meat dishes of pork, sausage and fish.