Visiting Syracuse means taking a journey back in history, discovering a thousand-year-old city whose origins date back to the distant past but which remains eternally splendid in our eyes.
Let’s discover the ten unmissable attractions of Syracuse.
- The Greek Theater
Big, solemn, intriguing, spectacular. As you sit on the stone steps, even if there is no actor on stage, you can imagine hearing the echoes of the heroes of the great Greek tragedies such as Agamemnon, Medea or Oedipus.
It holds testimonies from various eras, from protohistory to late antiquity and the Byzantine Empire. The Greek Theater of Syracuse is one of the largest in the world, entirely carved into the rock.
In ancient times it was used for shows and popular assemblies, but today it is the place where Greek tragedy is relived through the Cycle of Classical Performances that takes place every year. At sunset, and perhaps even under the full moon, we can have a unique experience here on the steps of the Greek Theater.
- Ear of Dionysus
The legendary Ear of Dionysus is the most famous of the caves of Syracuse.
It is so called because of its ear-like shape, and especially because of its exceptional acoustic properties that amplify sounds from within. According to legend, the tyrant Dionysus kept his captives here and secretly listened to their discussions. It is an artificial cave located under the Greek Theater, in the ancient stone quarry known as Latomia del Paradiso.
- Archaeological Park of Neapoli
Roman Amphitheater – It is the first monument, near the entrance to the park of Neapolis and it is also the most ‘recent’ as it was built during the Roman domination. For this reason, to visit the monuments in chronological order it is advisable to continue, starting the tour from the ‘latomie’ the stone quarries and then ending at the Roman amphitheater.
Hieron’s Altar – The second monument you will come across, on your left, is a large rectangular platform. These are the ruins of the Altar of Hieron, the largest stone altar built in the Greek world. It was dedicated to Zeus ‘eleutherios’.
Latomia del Paradiso – The stone quarry of Paradise – Behind the theater you will enter a wonderful garden. This is the paradise latomia, the stone quarry of Paradise. In ancient times it had a very different appearance and was a place of work and a prison for slaves. Today it is a beautiful garden with vegetation composed of Mediterranean and exotic plants: orange and lemon trees but also palms and ficuses. Inside the quarry it is also possible to see some caves. One of these is the ‘Grotta dei cordari’ because the guild of craftsmen has worked here for centuries.
Latomia di Santa Venera – Starting from July 2021 new areas of the Neapolis Park are open to visitors (but not all year round). So during the summer months it is also possible to visit the interior of the Cordari cave and the Saltpeter cave and it is possible to take a walk through the stone quarry of Santa Venera, admire a gigantic ficus tree and arrive at an ancient Roman tomb , called the ‘Tomb of Archimedes’.
- Piazza Duomo
This is one of the most famous squares on the web because it is one of the most beautiful in Italy! Surrounded by magnificent Baroque palaces, it is the heart of the civil and religious life of Ortigia, the ancient city of Syracuse and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Let’s take a break, sit down for an aperitif and enjoy the atmosphere!
The Cathedral is an exceptional case of a pagan temple and a Christian church at the same time: it stands on the ruins of a
temple dedicated to Athena built in 480 BC, and hides behind the baroque style of the facade, with the Doric columns still visible both outside and inside, a jewel of the past. At the end of the square, the Church of Santa Lucia alla Badia
hosts “The Burial of Saint Lucia”, a timeless masterpiece by Caravaggio during his stay in Sicily, depicting the martyrdom of the patron saint of Syracuse.
- Paolo Orsi Regional Archaeological Museum
This is one of the most important and prestigious archaeological museums in Europe. It exhibits finds dating back to different eras, from prehistory to the Greco-Roman era, from the excavations of the ancient city and other sites in Sicily. - Maniace Castle and Eurialo Castle
If you are a castle enthusiast, you are in the right place: these are among the most evocative of southern Sicily.
Castello Maniace: Castello Maniace takes its name from the Byzantine leader Giorgio Maniace. A true symbol of the power and genius of Emperor Frederick II, who had it built on an ancient fortress between 1232 and 1240. Immersed in the colors of the sea, it is the extreme edge of the island of Ortigia.
Eurialo Castle: the Eurialo Castle is one of the largest and most complete military works of the Greek period. It was built at the behest of Dionysius I, tyrant of Syracuse, to complete the grandiose defensive system known as the Dionysian Walls, which ran along the entire edge of the Epipoli plateau. Walking among the ruins seems to go back in time and hear the sound of the soldiers’ sandals.
- The Temple of Apollo
The magnificence of these Greek ruins is immediately evident at the entrance to the islet of Ortigia. It is the oldest Doric stone temple in Sicily and also one of those with the most troubled history: it was first an early Christian church, then a mosque, then again a church in the Norman era and a barracks at the time of Charles V.
In the evening, illuminated by the lights of the city, it offers us an even more suggestive show. - The Arethusa Fountain
The spring originates from a freshwater spring and forms a semicircular lake with fish, geese and ducks where the plant of the only spontaneous papyrus in Europe grows luxuriantly. Nearby, inside a restaurant, it is possible to visit the Antico Lavatoio dating back to the 18th century for free. The name derives from the legend of the nymph Arethusa, who, to escape the impetuous love of Alpheus, jumped into the sea and reached the island of Ortigia. Here the goddess Diana, pityed by her extreme gesture, transformed it into a fountain. Alfeo, in her turn, turned into a river and her waters crossed the sea to flow into a spring of water not far from the Aretusa spring, to join her forever. - Archimedes Square
Dedicated to the Syracuse mathematician and physicist, it houses the fountain that tells the myth of Alpheus and Arethusa. The square, with its nineteenth-century charm, is surrounded by buildings that summarize the history of Sicily, from the Middle Ages to the present day. - The market of Ortigia
A feast of colours, scents and authentic flavors of our land, the charm of the ancient markets. At the entrance to the island of Ortigia, connected to the city by the Umbertino bridge, you will be greeted by the scent of spices of all kinds: Etna peppers, almond sweets, but also seafood and fresh fish. A small market enlivened by colorful “vanniate”, captivating phrases in Sicilian shouted to attract customers. You can buy a rare treat, u strattu, a tomato paste used to flavor sauces and stews. A pleasant opportunity to get to know our typical products and learn new Sicilian recipes.
During the celebrations in honor of Santa Lucia, one of the most emotional moments is the fireworks salute to her patron saint upon her arrival at Ponte Umbertino, before she resumes her journey towards the Cathedral, where she will once again enter her chapel .