SIRACUSA | SICILY

Discover Syracuse

Located in the Ionic coast, Syracuse is a city rich in culture and art. It was among the most powerful Greek cities in Sicily and even defeated Athens. Archaeologists claim that magnificent Syracuse once had 28 kilometres of defensive city walls.
Remains of the most ancient part of Syracuse that fell to Rome can be seen today in the Neapoli Archaeological Park. The Park is surrounded by countryside and includes an Imperial Roman Amphitheatre, a Greek Theatre, the Latomie quarry-prisons and the Altar of Hiero II.

Syracuse is situated on a small island called Ortigia, where all roads lead to the sea. The Cathedral of Syracuse, damaged by earthquakes in 1542 and later in 1693, is situated on Ortigia’s highest point. It is richly adorned with a fine Baroque chancel altar, wrought ironwork and marble decorations.
The Paolo Orsi Regional Archaeological Museum is located in the grounds of Villa Landolina and contains no less than nine thousand square metres of exhibition space devoted to the civilizations that occupied these areas.
Works of Antonello and Caravaggio are featured in the Syracuse Regional Gallery, besides statues and paintings from local churches.

Noto’s Baroque architecture has made it famous and it has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The splendour of present-day Noto rose from the ruins of an ancient site destroyed by an earthquake in 1693. Noto’s Baroque is particularly whimsical and highly original. Noto’s architectural works have made it famous. Noto’s art has also influenced the neighbouring towns of Avola and Ferla. The original architectural drawings are conserved in Noto’s library. Worth seeing are Noto’s ancient ruins: the city walls and the Royal Gateway, a symbol of entry into Noto. Castelluccio di Noto is an archaeological site with a necropolis of more than 200 graves.

The town of Avola is a very important agricultural centre, producing citrus fruits, almonds and the Nero D'Avola wine. Cherry tomatoes are another famous product of the Syracuse province.
If you travel around the villages in the province of Syracuse at any time of year you will encounter folk festivals, usually with a religious theme.