Dove si trova Siracusa

What to See in Siracusa

On the south-eastern coast of Sicily rises Syracuse, a city among the most noble and elegant from all over the Mediterranean Sea.

Full of charm, history and natural landscape, enviable and envied, the city is divided into two different groups: the urban part of the city and Ortigia, the beautiful island of the city, increasingly rich in tourism.

In 2005, Syracuse and the nearby necropolis of Pantalica, have become part of the Unesco World Heritage.

What to See in Ortigia

The islet of Ortigia is the historical heart of the city of Syracuse. Within its area of ​​one square kilometer it is possible to admire the architectural beauties of different historical periods: from the first prehistoric settlements, through the numerous remains of ancient Greek Byzantine and Norman. Today Ortigia lives in a brilliant reconstruction of its old charm, finding consensus in the numerous tourists who remain entranced by the rare beauty of Syracuse.

Piazza Duomo

Piazza Duomo is an ancient sacred area, where from the past grandiose buildings have followed, such as the great archaic Ionic temple, the only one known from Western Greece, moreover, the Temple of Athena, in Doric style was also built.

For many it was seen as the most beautiful square of Sicily. Today, the restoration gave new emphasis to the fine buildings, overlooking the Town Hall, the Palace Beneventiano, The Abbey of Saint Lucia, in addition to the Bishop’s Palace and the Palazzo Borgia.

The Cathedral

The Cathedral is the most important building of the homonymous square, built on the ruins of an ancient Greek temple that forms the backbone. Severely damaged by the earthquake of 1693, it underwent several restorations, the most important of which was the facade, rebuilt during the first half of the eighteenth century (designed by Andrea Palma).

The great abundance of baroque style contrasts sharply with the interior of the Cathedral: here, the sobriety of the ancient temple has been maintained over the centuries. Of the three aisles, the right is even further removed from the other: the rich decoration of the chapels is in typical baroque, as well as the grand altar, placed in 1659. The interior of the cathedral is also decorated with many works of Gaginis marble.

The spring of Arethusa

The spring of Arethusa has always fascinated visitors and remains one of the feature stages of a visit to Syracuse. Located on the waterfront under the cathedral, it is presented in a semicircular basin, in which papyri has recently been planted. This is a pivot point in the evening for those who decide to take a stroll along the promenade to the south to the Castle Maniace, while to the north it continues towards the Foro Italico, which is located east of the Grand Harbor. Here, in addition to fishing vessels and small boats, it has a growing number of yachts that dock.

Maniace Castle

Maniace Castle was built by Frederick II of Swabia, around 1239, on the southern tip of the islet. Its name comes from Admiral Byzantine Maniaces, which in 1038 managed to steal Syracuse from the Arabs.

Although damaged by the earthquake of 1693, and especially the explosion in 1704 of a deposit of gunpowder caused by lightning, the bastion today retains its original external structure, square-shaped with cylindrical towers at the corners. Of particular notoriety is the entry arch, pointed, and covered with precious polychrome marbles.

The Regional Gallery

The Regional Gallery, placed within Palazzo Bellomo, is a structure from the Swabian period. Inside you can see sculptures and paintings of great cultural interest. In particular, on the ground floor are remarkable examples of Byzantine paintings, as well as a number of carriages. On the first floor, there is the art gallery, which exhibits paintings on canvas and wood (among them The Annunciation by Antonello da Messina and the Burial of St. Lucy by Caravaggio), cribs and ceramics.

What to see in Siracusa

The classical era was the period of greatest splendor for Syracuse. Not surprisingly, the historical and architectural treasures of this period are among the most fascinating that can be enjoyed in the city.

The Euryalus Castle

The Euryalus Castle stands on the highest point of the plateau Epipolae, it is very panoramic, and its function was to defend the city as it was being filled. Built by order of Dionysius the Elder it is the most beautiful and full of Greek military construction in the Mediterranean: its structure of 15,000 square meters was built in just six years, becoming the invincible stronghold in the war against Carthage. Amended several times in form, the last revision was completed by the Byzantines, who used it as a point of defense during the Arab siege.

The structure is composed of a rectangular part and a second trapezoidal, connected by underground passages. Of great interest are the numerous tunnels dug into the rock.

Inside the castle there are still three large tanks that guaranteed the water system throughout the building.

The myth is inextricably linked to specific traits of the story. Archimedes, the great mathematician of Syracuse from the classical period, placed large lenses on top of a tower of the Castle of Euryalus, he managed to set fire to the Roman ships using the reflection of the sun’s rays.

How to get there: From the city, continuing from Corso Gelon, which continues into Via Teracati, turn left into Via Necropolis Grotticelli and continue to State Road 114 towards Catania. After about 4.6 km, after a big bend, turn left onto the road that leads to the castle Eurialus.

rapezoidale, collegati tra loro da cunicoli sotterranei. Di grande interesse sono le numerose gallerie scavate nella roccia viva.

All’interno del castello sono ancora presenti tre grandi cisterne che garantivano il sistema idrico all’intera struttura.

Il mito si lega indissolubilmente ai tratti della storia. Archimede, il grande matematico siracusano dell’epoca classica, posto su una torre del castello Eurialo e dotato di grandi lenti, riuscì ad incendiare le navi romane  sfruttando i riflessi dei raggi del sole.

Come arrivare : Dalla città, si continua da Corso Gelone, che prosegue in Via Teracati, quindi imboccare a sinistra via Necropoli Grotticelli e proseguire per Strada Statale 114 direzione Catania. Dopo circa 4,6 km, dopo una grande curva, si gira a sinistra per la strada che conduce al castello Eurialo.

Regional Archaeological Museum

Paolo Orsi Regional Archaeological Museum displays the largest collection of finds of ancient Sicily. The museum consists of 4 different sectors, for a total area of 9,000 square meters.

Area A, which contains the rich prehistory artifacts, is preceded by a geological cross-section: the exhibits cover a wide span of time, from 1270 BC until 650 BC.

Sector B, instead, hosts artifacts dating back to the first Greek colonization of eastern Sicily. In field C are observable findings from Agrigento, Gela and other sub-colonies of Syracuse (Akrai, Kasmenai and Camarina).

Finally, in area D you can see various artifacts dating back to the Greek and Roman city of Syracuse, where the famous Venus Anadiomene, (which literally means “rising from the sea”) are kept, found in 1804. The Sarcophagus of Adelphia also deserves to be mentioned, found among the catacombs of San Giovanni: marble funerary works, dating from the fourth century.

The Catacombs

The Catacombs of Vigna Cassia, of Saint Lucia and the Basilica of St. John, are three different sites where you can take guided tours of the cemetery areas. They consist of a series of tunnels dug into the rock, where men and women of the Christian faith were buried, which at that time was prohibited. Made between the third and fourth century AD, they are visible along with sarcophagi paintings, frescoes, and altars.

The feast of St. Lucia

The 13th of December is the day when Syracuse dedicates its devotion to its patron saint. The procession starts in the afternoon, with thousands of faithful who walk barefoot carrying heavy candles. For some years now, the party host has been Lucy of Sweden, a Scandinavian girl who plays the saint, which has a strong following in Sweden. Inevitably following along with the procession is the coach of the Senate, a faithful reproduction of the Austrian imperial chariot.

The Archaeological Park Neopolis

The Archaeological Park Neopolis: built between 1952-55 includes most of the finds of the classic Greek and Roman Syracuse, unifying under one roof area of ​​about 240,000 square meters, the remains of the ancient era. Among other distinguished architectural buildings:

The Roman Amphitheatre from the imperial era (III – IV century AD. C.), which for its greatness was to be superior to others in Sicily. The bottom was dug into the rock, which for the poor quality of its morphology, was hidden from sight. The upper part is elliptical in shape, with very large outer diameters (140 and 119 meters). The amphitheater was unearthed in 1839.

The Altar of Heron II was a huge altar, used in ancient times for the sacrifices offered to the gods. Its lower part is still visible, formed in the ground, while the upper part was lost during the Spanish period.

The Greek Theatre is dated around the second century BC. Literally dug into the rock, it was at the same time among the largest of the Greek era (diameter of 138 meters) with its lower slope (about 19 meters).

After the glories of the classical period, when many of the famous tragedies were performed in Syracuse, the theater underwent significant changes during the Roman domination in an attempt to “reconvert” the structure featured in Latin motifs.

Later falling into disuse, the theater was used by the Spaniards to build other buildings. The excavations brought to light were completed in the first half of the fifties.

The Ear of Dionysius is an artificial cave, resulting from an old aqueduct, more than 23 meters high. The cave owes its name to a writing of Caravaggio, who during a hike in 1608 noticed the resemblance to a human ear. According to legend, Dionysius used to hold prisoners of war in the cave, to overhear their talk of conspiracy: the noise amplification is indeed significant, and would have allowed them to know important information about their enemies.

At the edge of the park remains visible the Necropolis of Groticelli where there are numerous rock-hewn tombs, dating to the Greeks rather than to the Imperial age.

Among others, the Tomb of Archimedes, however, it is only a Roman columbarium (funerary building divided into niches). The real tomb of the mathematician from Syracuse was described by Cicero as a column where there was a sphere and a cylinder.

Historical Background of Siracusa

 

The name Syracuse probably derives from the Greek syrakeo, a term indicating the spring of fresh water close to the city center.

The foundation of the city dates back to the arrival of some Greek colonists, who after defeating the peoples of the land, began construction of the city. In the ancient period, it was with Dionysius, the historic enemy of Carthage and Athens that Syracuse was able to establish itself as a military power in the Mediterranean. It was during this period that the large protective walls of the city and the mighty castle Eurialus were constructed.

During the classical period, the impregnable city Syracuse fell to the Romans: the siege of the city lasted several years, during which time the famous mathematician Archimedes tried with his ingenious weapons to make a contribution to the cause of Syracuse. Syracuse was conquered in 212 BC and the glories of the ancient period no longer continued into the later centuries.

During the period of the Empire, in Syracuse, intricate necropolises were carved; the underground catacombs were places of worship for the Christians, at that time persecuted for their beliefs.

Later the city was conquered by the Byzantine Empire, becoming the capital of the Eastern Empire from 663-668.

Passing into the hands of the Arabs in 878 it became capital of the Val di Noto. During this period it contended with Palermo, the most important city of Sicily, while maintaining great importance in the trade routes of much of the Mediterranean.

With the Norman conquest of 1086, the city center was relegated to second order, in fact losing the contest with Palermo.

Like most cities of eastern Sicily, Syracuse also links its history to the 1693 earthquake, a devastating event for the entire Val di Noto. The fastidious reconstruction saw prominent architects and craftsmen at work, thanks to which Syracuse is now one of the finest examples of Sicilian Baroque.

In the period preceding the unification of Italy, the Syracusan citizens distinguished themselves in adversity to the French crown, losing the title of the provincial capital in favor of Noto. Which was returned in 1865.

The early years of the 1900’s were characterized by a massive increase in population which has led the construction of the city to expand inland.

Today, Syracuse is a confirmed tourist center of primary interest, full of historical and architectural works along with unique and natural beauty, all to be seen.

città ad espandersi verso l’entroterra.

Oggi Siracusa si conferma centro turistico di primario interesse, pieno di testimonianze storiche, di opere architettoniche uniche nel loro genere e bellezze naturali tutte da conoscere.

Siracusa by Night

Spend an evening in Syracuse is an event not to be missed, especially in the warmer periods of the year, where you can enjoy a pizza or a beer in the unique setting of Ortigia, it is a unique opportunity to admire the beauty of the city. The waterfront is mobbed by young people who walk holding ice creams and drinks. It should be emphasized, that lately Ortigia is receiving great interest from an increasing number of wealthy foreign tourists.

For those who prefer an evening with a little more action, outside of the historic center there are numerous clubs and discos that organize different evenings every day of the week.