Sicily, Ragusa, Modica, Italy

Ref. Casa Giovanni - Modica - Spread over three floors opposite the Duomo di San Giorgio, Casa Giovanni occupies a corner of the former Jewish quarter of Modica. The city is one of the UNESCO-listed baroque centres of south-eastern Sicily.

Three Floors and Two Entrances
The house was formed by combining two homes, and the finished design retains two independent entrances. The upper door, just below the neighbourhood belvedere, leads into a bright living floor with kitchen and service bathroom. A balcony here looks straight at the dome of San Giorgio, and the exposed timber roof rises to around 4.5 metres at its peak. An internal staircase descends to a bedroom, a shower room and a second small balcony. Below again is a large vaulted room at street level with its own entrance. A small storeroom across the lane holds the water cisterns and pump, with space for general storage.

A Neighbourhood that's both Noble and Nobel
The poet Salvatore Quasimodo, Nobel laureate, was born in the palazzo next door, and his birthplace is now a well-known cultural site. Restaurants, cafes and the monuments of the centre are a short walk through the stepped lanes, with parking available near the belvedere above the house. Around the neighbourhood, restoration work can be seen breathing new life into numerous historic streets and alleyways.

When you need to come and go, a limited range of flights are available through Comiso airport, only 20 km away to the north. Catania's international hub is reachable by car in only 90 minutes by road, offering connections throughout Europe and even direct flights to the Eastern US.

Costed Works and Letting Potential
Casa Giovanni is usable now, but we would recommend pricing some work into your budget. We suggest a review of the roof, the rebuilding of one balcony and, in time, new windows. Internal estimates suggest around €15,000 for facades and balconies, plus €5,000 to €6,000 for glazing.
With its own entrance, the vaulted lower floor could become a guest suite, studio or holiday-let space. Under professional management it could bring in an indicative €10,000 to €12,000 a year. A natural cavity in the rock behind one wall, still to be verified by a surveyor, could add a highly distinctive design feature and some extra living space. This would make an affordable entry into the baroque heart of Modica.