Introduction
Modica and Ragusa, twin villages bursting with the intense flavors of artisanal chocolate and ragusano cheese.
The area boasts 4 protected-designation products and 3 dishes of the local tradition and 1 UNESCO heritage sites.
Upcoming Events & Festivals
Here are the upcoming events in Ragusa Iblea:
Recurring Events
These events take place every year in Ragusa Iblea:
ChocoModica
Ottobre-NovembreModica · Dal 2003
Festival del Cioccolato di Modica IGP.
Ibla Buskers
OttobreRagusa Ibla · Dal 1995
Festival internazionale artisti di strada tra vicoli barocchi.
Sagra della Cipolla
14 agostoGiarratana
Cipolla gigante di Giarratana.
PDO, PGI and local products
The protected-designation products of Ragusa Iblea represent the excellence of the area:
Italy's first and only PGI chocolate in Europe, crafted using cold-working with Aztec technique.
Stretched-curd cheese aged to perfection, with an intense and complex flavor.
Extra virgin olive oil from the Monti Iblei mountains with a fruity character.
Local fava bean variety that cooks quickly.
What to eat in Ragusa Iblea
Layered savory focaccia filled with tomato and cheese.
Unique pastries filled with meat and chocolate, a true local specialty.
Short pasta with fresh fava beans.
Traditions & Culture
A suggestive ritual during Holy Week in Modica.
Ragusa Ibla's patron saint celebration featuring the procession up to the Cathedral.
UNESCO Heritage
Masterpieces of baroque architecture in Val di Noto.
Historical Figures
Born in Modica in 1901, he won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1959.
Local Communities
The festivals and events in Ragusa Iblea are organized by Pro Loco associations and local groups that safeguard the area's traditions:
Modica
Tutelano il Cioccolato di Modica IGP, primo e unico cioccolato con indicazione geografica in Europa, lavorato a freddo con tecnica azteca.
Ragusa
Promuovono Ibla Buskers e la vita culturale del quartiere barocco con oltre 50 chiese in meno di un km quadrato.
Curiosities
“Cioccolato di Modica is the only chocolate in Europe made using the cold-working Aztec technique.”
“Ragusa Ibla has over 50 churches within less than 1 km².”
“The Ragusa region is the filming location for the popular series 'Il Commissario Montalbano'.”
Frequently Asked Questions
1What PDO and PGI products can be found in Ragusa Iblea?expand_more
Ragusa Iblea is home to 4 protected designation products, including: Cioccolato di Modica (PGI), Ragusano (PDO), Olio Monti Iblei (PDO), and Fava Cottoia di Modica (Slow Food Presidium).
2What should I eat in Ragusa Iblea?expand_more
Signature dishes of Ragusa Iblea include: Scaccia ragusana, Mpanatigghi di Modica, and Lolli co' favi. Each dish tells the story of the region's gastronomic heritage.
3What UNESCO World Heritage sites are in Ragusa Iblea?expand_more
Ragusa Iblea is home to one UNESCO World Heritage site: Late Baroque Towns: Ragusa, Modica, Scicli (Cultural, 2002).
4What are the most famous food festivals in Ragusa Iblea?expand_more
Major festivals and events in Ragusa Iblea include: ChocoModica (Modica, October-November); Ibla Buskers (Ragusa Ibla, October); and Sagra della Cipolla (Giarratana, August 14).
5Who organizes the food festivals in Ragusa Iblea?expand_more
Food festivals in Ragusa Iblea are organized by local communities including the Consorzio Cioccolato di Modica and Pro Loco Ragusa Ibla. These local associations serve as guardians of the territory's gastronomic traditions.