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This tiny village is now a living museum, where eight work rooms and living spaces have been faithfully preserved. They include the home of a peasant farmer, a smithy, olive press and a mill.

In a restored castle with original frescoes and red drapery, traditional techniques are revisited to create innovative dishes (see Locanda del Borgo, Rosolini).

The market typically bustles with local housewives and vendors yelling out the merits of their wares. Farmers and fishermen heap mussels, tomatoes, cherries or whatever is plentiful into colourful mounds to entice customers.

This little fishing village grew up around the tonnara (tuna fishery) and villa of the noble Villadorata family. The old village remains, but with the addition of modern resort features including popular nightclubs.

Rebuilt after 1693, on and between two deep gorges, the city is dramatically divided in two parts – Modica Alta, the upper town, and Modica Bassa, the lower town. Founded by the Siculi, the city attained great importance under Spanish rule when it was the capital of a quasi-autonomous state ruled by Spanish barons. The lively Corso Umberto I, with boutiques, cafés, pastry shops, numerous palaces and a theatre, crosses Modica Bassa. Also on this street is a monumental flight of steps with excellent Baroque statues of the Apostles that leads up to the post-1693 Duomo dedicated to San Pietro. Up the hill, Modica Alta’s Baroque church of San Giorgio is attributed to Gagliardi. Inside there is characteristic stucco work and 10 beautiful 16th-century wooden panels depicting scenes from the New Testament.

An antique water-powered grain mill has been restored and put back into action, complete with the mill stones that grind wheat into flour for bread and pasta.

Here, rooms from a peasant’s home, artisans’ workshops and laboratories are faithfully recreated. See typical workshops of the blacksmith, basketmaker, shoemaker, cartmaker, and a complete pastry workshop with original utensils.

To the northwest of Noto lie the evocative ruins of the pre-earthquake town. Built on an arid, limestone ridge, the site commands views of the Ragusan plain and Mount Etna. Under the hot Sicilian sun, purple thistle and sundried herbs perfume the air.

Built in the 6th century BC and set amid cypress trees, two of the temple’s 42 columns remain standing.