San Giovanni Evangelista, Religious landmark in Modica Alta, Italy
San Giovanni Evangelista is a church at the top of Pizzo Hill in Modica's old town, divided into three sections by square pillars and decorated with stuccoes and frescoes throughout. The interior spaces feature ornamental details that fill the walls and ceilings with religious scenes and patterns.
The original building was documented in 1150 in a papal bull from Pope Eugene III, though earthquakes in the 1500s and late 1600s forced major reconstruction of the structure. These natural disasters shaped how this place was rebuilt and restored over the centuries.
Inside, a 16th-century sculptural group shows the Virgin Mary and Martha mourning together, capturing a moment of shared grief that speaks to visitors walking through the space. This image became central to how people here understand compassion and faith.
Reaching the church means climbing a grand staircase with 26 pillars, where three original statues still mark the ascent. The climb is steep, so plan with comfortable shoes and enough time to take in the views along the way.
Originally dedicated to Saint Peter, the church changed its dedication to Saint John the Evangelist in 1454 when another church honoring the same saint was built in lower Modica. This name change shows how the city's religious landscape shifted over time.
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