Sam, I am: July 2021

If a 2,700 year-old city that is the birthplace of the mathematician and engineer Archimedes strikes your fancy, then Siracusa (Syracuse), Sicily is a place worthy of a visit. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that was founded by Greeks around 734 BC, has a rich Greek and Roman history and an amazing Greek Amphitheatre. The main attractions of Siracusa tend to be concentrated around two areas: Neapolis (Greek for New City) Archaeological Park and the Island of Ortigia. Both areas are easily explored on foot and worth a visit. Now honestly you cannot see and experience all that Siracusa offers in a day. We tried, failed, and added a quick stop in Noto just for the hell of it.

Greek Amphitheatre

The Neapolis Archaeological Park, situated in the northwest of Siracusa is home to several well-preserved Greek and Roman ruins, the jewel of which is the ancient Greek Theatre. The Neapolis is considered one of the most important archaeological and historical sites in the Mediterranean and includes the Greek Amphitheatre, the Sanctuary of Apollo Temenite, the Altar of Hieron II, the Roman amphitheatre, and the Latomie.

The Greek Amphitheatre is situated on the southern slopes of Temenite Hill, originally built in the 5th century BC. It was rebuilt in the 3rd century BC and renovated during the roman period becoming one of the largest theatres of the Greek world with seating for 15,000 spectators. It ultimately fell into decline during the Middle Ages until it was rediscovered by modern archaeologists. Today, much of the originally semi-circular seating survives in fantastic condition, although it is often covered with wood to preserve its condition. The INDA Foundation holds performances of Greek classics in an annual festival held there from May to June.

Latomie del Paradiso

Near the Greek Amphitheatre is the Latomie del Paradiso, an ancient quarry from the 6th century B.C featuring numerous caverns, fissures & cliffs. While today the Latomie (Ancient Greek for a quarry used as a prison) is a beautiful place, it was the original "hell on earth" for many as it was a place of detention and forced labour for prisoners of war and political prisoners. The 7000 survivors of the war between Syracuse and Athens in 413 BC were imprisoned here. It was out of this deep limestone quarry that stone for the ancient city was extracted, often by its prisoners.

Orecchio di Dionisio (Ear of Dionysius) is the ear-shaped artificial grotto dug out as a rock quarry and possibly later used as a sounding board for theatrical performances. The name of the cave was coined in 1608 by the painter Michelangelo da Caravaggio. Due to the particular shape of this grotto, legend has it that the town’s wicked and paranoid tyrant Dionysius used it to overhear his prisoners’ conversations from the top of the mine and then punish those who plotted against him.

Exterior and Interior View of the Ear of Dionysius Grotto.

The Paolo Orsi Regional Archaeological Museum of Syracuse was built in the park of Villa Landolina and opened in 1988. The museum is located approximately 300 metres from the Neapolis Archaeological Park. This uncrowded wonder displays 18,000 archaeological finds from the city of Syracuse and the eastern regions of the island. Our group of three had this wonderful small museum essentially to ourselves. it is worth a visit and can be seen in its entirety in several hours. A separate blog will focus on this gem of a museum.

“Paolo Orsi” Regional Archaeological Museum of Syracuse (photo credit Zde)

The Fountain of Diana in Piazza di Archimede

Throughout its history, Siracusa and the adjacent Island of Ortigia (which is the historical centre of Siracusa) has been part of several cultures; Arabs, Roman, Normans, Byzantines, Spaniards, and others. Ortigia was the site of an ancient Greek settlement founded by the Corinthians in 734 B.C. This over 2,700 year old city still bears witness to the art and culture that have flourished in it throughout the centuries. Ortigia derives its name from the ancient Greek ortyx meaning Quail. The island is fairly small (about 1km long and 600 meters wide) so the best way to see Ortigia is just to wander around. The main attractions in Ortigia are Ortygia market, Piazza Duomo, Maniace Castle and Eurialo Castle, Temple of Apollo, Fonte Aretusa, Piazza Archimede, and the Cathedral of Santa Maria delle Colonne.

Piazza di Archimede was built in 1878 to honour the famous mathematician Archimedes, who was killed by the Romans in 212 B.C.. At the centre of the Piazza is the beautiful Fountain of Diana, the Roman goddess built in 1907 by the sculptor Giulio Moschetti. The nymph Arethusa is depicted in the act of escaping from Alpheus who, with outstretched arms, tries to grab her. Diana, at the centre of the group, protects the young girl.

Noto is a city 32 kilometres (20 mi) southwest of the city of Siracusa at the foot of the Iblean Mountains. The medieval town of Noto was razed by an earthquake in 1693. Noto was rebuilt at its present site and as a result has a unique architectural homogeneity, built over the next decades in a typical and highly preserved example of Sicilian baroque. Most of Noto’s notable buildings were constructed in the 18th century. The facade of some buildings in Noto was built with a tufa stone (a variety of limestone) of sandy colour which acquires a golden tone at times.

Noto Cathedral (1776)

Palazzio Ducezio (Noto's Town Hall)
Designed in 1746, completed in 1830 and second floor added in the 1950s.

More Photos from Siracusa and Noto.

The Altar of Hiero II

Monumental grand altar in the ancient quarter of Neapolis built by Hiero II for public sacrifices. It was built in the Hellenistic period between 241 and 215 BCE and is believed to have been dedicated to Zeus Eleutherios.

The Roman Amphitheatre from the early Imperial period (3rd century BC), that was used for gladiator fights.

The Grotta del Ninfeo

An cave carved into the rock of Temenite hill, at Neapolis Archaeological Park. At the entrance they were statues dedicated to Muses. The fountain is inspired by Greek cult of the nymphs from which the cave derived its name.

Terrace of Temenite Hill and entrance to Sepulchral Street, with rock tombs, niches and epitaphs on each side.

The Cathedral of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Cathedral of Siracusa)

The cathedral in Siracusa was built in the 6th century by the Byzantines who converted the remains of the Temple of Athena (480 BC) into a church. The Temple had been a Doric temple whose columns and other remains were incorporated into the current church (see photo below). The facade of the Cathedral is a Sicilian-Baroque composition erected in 1728-54 after an earthquake in 1693 destroyed the Norman facade and bell tower (circa 12th century). The exterior statues were sculptured by Ignazio Marabitti (1757).