Church San Giovanni Evangelista

Modica's oldest house of worship is built at the high point of town and stands out in gleaming splendor. The original church had been damaged in the 1693 earthquake and was rebuilt in the harmonious Baroque style with which many other buildings were restructured. Another renovation in 1839 toned down some of the original Baroque adornments in favor of neoclassical touches.

The church is fronted by a monumental staircase, which itself is flanked by columns. On each rested a statue, though today only three remain. The cross on top of the church is the highest point in Modica. Inside the church houses the statuary group known as the Addolorata, which is said to date back to 500 AD, depicting Mary and Martha crying over the dead Christ in his mother's arms.

The church rests on Piazza San Giovanni, but the facade and staircase face Via Morana, in the heart of Modica.