Villa Polara

Hey, I'm Villa Polara

The Cooperativa Don Giuseppe Puglisi scs Onlus is the result of the experience gained from the Casa Don Puglisi in Modica, which has been welcoming women with children for thirty years. This initiative is part of the civil economy, providing the women residing at the Casa with the chance to learn a trade and start anew. From this Cooperative emerged the Bottega di Casa Don Puglisi, where the renowned Cioccolato di Modica and traditional sweets are made. In the heart of the city's historical center, visitors can explore the shop, participate in tasting events, and discover a charming children's bookstore. Villa Polara fits into this context as a project of Solidarity Tourism. It is a recently renovated villa belonging to the Benedictines, returned to the community through the initiative “Mediterranean Hospitality and Thoughts” by the Val di Noto Foundation, in collaboration with Caritas Italiana and a group of partners, including the Madre Teresa Foundation, the Don Puglisi Association and Cooperative, Crisci Ranni, and Arca.

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Area Campagna

The area surrounding Villa Polara is a captivating blend of natural beauty, historical landmarks, and deeply rooted cultural identities. We are located in the heart of southeastern Sicily, in a prime spot between the sea and the hills, where the Modica countryside unfolds with dry stone walls, olive groves, carob trees, and Mediterranean scents that shift with the seasons. This region retains the genuine rural charm of authentic Sicily, characterized by silence, expansive horizons, and a light that shapes the landscapes.

Just a few kilometers away lies Modica, a baroque city recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site, famous for its monumental churches, rock-hewn streets, and the tradition of artisanal chocolate. Its dramatic vistas, staircases, flower-adorned balconies, and the silhouette of the Cathedral of San Giorgio contribute to its rare beauty, rich in history and allure.

The area is also a strategic base for exploring some of the most enchanting locations in the Val di Noto: Ragusa Ibla, with its noble palaces and the Ibleo Garden; Scicli, an authentic architectural and literary gem; and Ispica, home to a ravine that harbors rock chapels, catacombs, hermitages, and prehistoric dwellings carved into the rock. Further afield, Noto and Syracuse boast an archaeological and monumental heritage of extraordinary significance.

The proximity to the sea offers easy access to some of the most beautiful beaches in southeastern Sicily, such as Marina di Modica, Sampieri, Pozzallo, and the natural reserves of Vendicari and Punta Cirica. Here, the Mediterranean reveals its diverse features: cliffs, sandy dunes, wetlands inhabited by flamingos, and quiet coves where time seems to stand still.

This region is also a hub of spiritual experiences, thanks to the presence of shrines, convents, and religious traditions deeply embedded in the daily lives of the communities. Easter celebrations, in particular, are among the most heartfelt and engaging in Sicily, providing visitors with the opportunity to immerse themselves in a meaningful atmosphere filled with collective participation.

The Iblean landscape, with its natural caves and tufa plateaus, invites slow exploration: whether on foot, by bicycle, or simply by allowing oneself to be guided by beauty. This territory engages all the senses, offering moments of deep tranquility, inspiration, and authentic connection with the land and its history.