7. Palace of the Mercedarian Fathers

The building, now called the palace, was the convent of the Mercedarian friars (Fig. a). Their institution in Spain dates back to medieval times (1200), and their task was to collect offerings for the ransom of Christian slaves from their Muslim masters. It was built in the early 1700s and is characterised by a long side façade in two orders, with an entrance portal which can be reached by a flight of steps (Fig. b). The portal consists of two ashlar pilasters supporting a trabeation on which rests a balcony with an iron railing in the shape of a goose chest (Fig. c) and a large window bordered by two moulded cornices and a decorated architrave. With the Unification of Italy, following the “eversive laws”, it was confiscated and handed over to the municipality of Modica.
The main entrance leads to an atrium from which two lateral corridors and the staircase leading to the upper floor branch off. Paving in “pietra pece” with limestone inserts was carried out around 2010. (Fig d). On the first floor, there are rooms along the corridors, once monks’ quarters, now used for exhibitions (Fig. e). Inside, the palace also houses a museum of popular arts and traditions with reconstructions of workshops (Fig. f).