Why this ride
A 305 km round trip from Siracusa - roughly 5 h 42 in the saddle. On the way it passes Militello Val di Catania, Modica and back through Militello Val di Catania. A steady touring day rather than a sprint.
CURVESCOUT / MOTORCYCLE RIDE
Ortygia and Modica
Plan this ride
- Recorded distance
- 305 km
- Riding-time estimate
- 5 h 42
- Journey
- Recorded itinerary
Distance and timing basis
The recorded total and the leg detail need reconciliation. Inspect the leg notes before using this record for timing or navigation. Stops, delays, approach and any separate return travel add time. Basis: producer-declared routed record.
Reading history stays on this device. My road watch requires a separate selection; opening it does not subscribe this ride.
Distance and riding time are measured on the routed road. Check local closures and conditions before you ride.
Waypoint introductions and full write-ups
1. Ortygia
Ortygia is the island where Syracuse began. Greek colonists from Corinth landed here in 734 BC, drawn by a harbour and a freshwater spring, and the town they founded grew into the most powerful city in the Greek world, rivalling Athens. The island is small enough to walk across in fifteen minutes and holds an astonishing density of history. The cathedral is built into the columns of a Greek temple of Athena, so the Doric pillars are still visible in its walls. A few steps away, the freshwater spring of Arethusa still bubbles up beside the sea, with papyrus plants growing in the pool.
Read the complete Ortygia write-up.
Recorded stop-planning note
May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.
Planning note
Ortygia is where the day begins. Next is Militello Val di Catania.
2. Militello Val di Catania
Militello in Val di Catania is a small town in the hills south-west of Catania, in eastern Sicily, surrounded by orange groves and olive trees, with Mount Etna visible on the horizon. Like many towns in this part of Sicily, it was devastated by the earthquake of 1693, which destroyed much of the south-east of the island, and was rebuilt in the Baroque style. Its churches and palaces are part of the UNESCO-listed Late Baroque Towns of the Val di Noto, inscribed in 2002, together with Noto, Ragusa, Modica, Caltagirone and others.
Read the complete Militello Val di Catania write-up.
Recorded stop-planning note
May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.
Planning note
Militello Val di Catania comes up 65 km in. Next is Modica.
3. Modica
Modica was destroyed in 1693, rebuilt in a hurry, and the result is one of the most dramatic baroque towns in Europe. A great earthquake that January killed tens of thousands across south-eastern Sicily, and the towns of the Val di Noto rose again in a new style, with curved facades, carved balconies and grotesque stone faces looking down from the corners. UNESCO listed eight of them together in 2002, and Modica is one of the finest. It occupies two steep ridges and the gorge between them, and the houses climb up the sides in layers, so that a walk through the streets is mostly a matter of steps.
Read the complete Modica write-up.
Recorded stop-planning note
May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.
Planning note
131 km in you reach Modica. Next is back through Militello Val di Catania.
4. back through Militello Val di Catania
Return visit. Read the place description above.
Read the complete Militello Val di Catania write-up.
Recorded stop-planning note
May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.
Planning note
back through Militello Val di Catania, late in the day. Next is Ortygia.
5. Ortygia
Return visit. Read the place description above.
Read the complete Ortygia write-up.
Recorded stop-planning note
May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.
Planning note
Back at Ortygia. That is the ride.
Leg by leg
Ortygia to Militello Val di Catania
Ortygia → Militello Val di Catania is 68 km of getting across. Ride it tidily and keep the enthusiasm for what comes after.
Militello Val di Catania to Modica
Militello Val di Catania → Modica is 62 km of rhythm rather than effort. Let it flow and let the view breathe.
Modica to back through Militello Val di Catania
Modica → back through Militello Val di Catania is 62 km of rhythm rather than effort. Let it flow and let the view breathe.
back through Militello Val di Catania to Ortygia
back through Militello Val di Catania → Ortygia is 68 km of getting across. Ride it tidily and keep the enthusiasm for what comes after.