On the way between Scicli and Modica you’ll find deep valleys flanked by steep stone cliffs. Among those cliffs, you’ll find caves carved into the rock. During times of bandits and foreign invasions, cave dwelling in southeastern Sicily was common, and as more modern construction techniques entered the scene, the cave became part of one’s home, versus being the entire home. Yesterday’s post of Modica Bassa shows you an example of a city built into the side of a cliff and houses built around or on top of caves. As I learned while visiting Modica and Scicli, caves hold a constant cool temperature throughout the year–excellent for preserving food and shielding oneself from extreme temperatures. Additionally, many caves are fed by underground springs and streams that provide a source of fresh water (via a well). From where we sit today in our modern civilization, cave dwelling may seem primitive, but in fact, in past centuries it was a resource-rich homestead.
