anciently Motyea, a town of Sicily, capital of a district of the same name, in the province of Syracuse, on the Scieli, 31 miles W.S.W. of Syracuse. The town, which stands amongst steep and rugged hills, is generally ill built, though it has a large square and some fine buildings. The principal edifices are the palace of the Dukes of Berwick-Alba, a castle, several churches, convents, schools, hospitals, and a town-hall. Cotton-spinning and the rearing of cattle are carried on; and there is a considerable trade, especially with Malta. Not far from the town is the valley of Ipsica, which is remarkable for numerous caves hollowed out of the rocks. Pop. 22,000.