Visit to the Fattojo workshop at Bonajuto and a Modica chocolate tasting

What it is

Modica is the city of chocolate, and the Antica Dolceria Bonajuto is its oldest house: it has made chocolate since 1880, with six generations of the same family, and presents itself as Sicily's oldest working chocolate factory. Its headquarters are in the centre of the city. The visit we suggest is to its Fattojo, the small workshop where they make “bean to bar” chocolate, from the cocoa bean to the bar.

Why Modica's is different

Modica chocolate is worked at a low temperature, without adding cocoa butter or other fats and without conching, the long hot beating that gives industrial chocolate its smooth texture. That is why it comes out grainy, with a texture unlike other bars. In 2018 it became the first chocolate in Europe with protected geographical indication, and only that made in the municipality of Modica may carry the name. The classic flavours are cinnamon, vanilla and citrus, and at Bonajuto also dark ones from 70 to 100% cocoa.

The visit to the Fattojo

It lasts about 30 minutes. They tell you what Modica chocolate is, the history of the house and the Mesoamerican origin of the way it is worked, and you finish with a tasting of its products. It is given in Italian or English; if you prefer another language, you can bring an interpreter. There are visits from Monday to Sunday, except public holidays, with a maximum of 25 people per group. Children up to 5 do not pay.

How to book and how much it costs

You book on Bonajuto's visits website, choosing the day on the calendar. Its public page does not give the price or the exact address of the Fattojo: you will see them when you book. Groups, schools, guides and agencies book by email at [email protected]. In summer, book a few days ahead.

Getting there

Bonajuto is in the centre of Modica, at Vicolo Franco Ruta, 1. Park outside the centre and walk down: Modica has an upper and a lower town joined by stairs. From Catania, by car, take the Ragusa road to the Modica turn-off.

Complete the morning

After the tasting, climb the steps of the Duomo di San Giorgio, in Modica Alta, about 300 steps, or go down the Corso to San Pietro. For lunch, the Osteria dei Sapori Perduti is on the same Corso. And if you want to continue with chocolate, the Chocolate Museum, in the Palazzo della Cultura, tells its history with documents on chocolate makers in Modica since 1746.