Holiday Apartment in Michelica: Byzantine History and Beaches

Michelica Between Archaeology and Coastline

Michelica belongs to the municipality of Modica. The town contains a Byzantine necropolis and a catacomb from the 4th century AD. The town’s archaeological themes thus range from burial sites to structural remains and houses from the Byzantine period.

Byzantine Houses in Michelica-Palazzetti

Byzantine houses are located in Michelica-Palazzetti. They are dated to the 5th to 6th century AD.

A Late Antique Building Remain in Michelica

In 2008, investigations led by Giovanni Di Stefano uncovered in Michelica the only surviving remain of a building that belonged to a probable settlement in the area. The building remain is therefore connected to Michelica’s settlement context, although the settlement as a whole has not survived.

The building remain features mixed masonry, characteristic of residential units from Late Antiquity in the Modica area. The Late Antique settlement building includes a surviving wall section that is approximately 6.50 metres long in a north–south direction. A semicircular niche is located on its southern side.

Kitchen pottery found in the collapse layer of the building remain is tentatively dated to the 7th to 8th century AD. The surviving building remain is so far considered the only archaeological evidence for the settlements scattered among the extensive Late Antique necropolises in the area.

Catacomb, Burial Area and Hypogeum

The catacomb of Michelica was associated with an area for above-ground burials. Another hypogeum, designated Ipogeo B, was discovered in the immediate vicinity. Significant archaeological excavations were already carried out in Michelica in 1905; the catacomb there was reported by Paolo Orsi. Thus, in addition to the necropolis, the town is associated with a burial area and another underground structure.

Addresses in Michelica

The Byzantine houses of Michelica-Palazzetti are associated with Via Modica Ispica 95, Modica, RG. The Michelica archaeological site is associated with Via Modica Ispica 1511, Modica, RG. The two addresses refer to different archaeological destinations in the area of Via Modica Ispica.

Museums and Ancient Site in the Surrounding Area

The ancient site of Cava D'Ispica is located in the vicinity of Michelica. The nearby area also contains the Mulino ad Acqua Museo in Grotte and the Museo Ibleo delle Arti e Tradizioni Popolari "s. A. Guastella". The Casa Natale Salvatore Quasimodo museum is also located in the area. The sites in Michelica are thus complemented by further cultural destinations in the region.

Beaches as an Additional Travel Highlight

The beaches Spiaggia Pozzallo, Pietre Nere, Spiaggia Raganzino and Spiaggia Grottelle are located in the vicinity of Michelica. The coastal destinations complement the archaeological and museum sites with a distinct regional theme.

Route Connection via Michelica-Palazzetti

The T6 Trasversali Ragusa–Pozzallo/Ispica route passes through Michelica-Palazzetti. The route connection is therefore with the Byzantine houses of Michelica-Palazzetti.

Further places for your planning: Eredità, Puntarazzi, Cerasella, Campanella-gianforma, Ispica, Monterosso Almo, Comiso, Scoglitti.

To the broader travel overview: Ragusa.