This Italian city located in Sicily It is a very touristy place that during Ancient Greece was a cultural center. This city was the second Greek colony to be established after Naxos. Its wonderful heritage has made it an interesting visit when we travel to the island of Sicily.
If you want to know what you can visit and see in the city of Syracuse, we tell you everything we can do. A place through which Greeks, Romans, Arabs or Byzantines have passed. Without a doubt we can spend several days enjoying its streets.
Ortigia Island
The island of Ortigia is the old part of town and without a doubt it is the most charming place. It is an island that is connected by two bridges. It is a very quiet place, because to preserve it it has been established that it is mostly pedestrianized. Only some residents can access this area with their cars. Within this area you have to let yourself be carried away by its streets to discover every corner, as it is an area declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. In this place is the Piazza del Duomo, the Hypogeum or the ancient Temple of Athena.
Maniace Castle
At the tip of the Ortigia island is located the Castelo Maniace, which can only be visited in the morning. This castle was used as a defensive fortress against attacks by sea since the XNUMXth century. You can see inside and it takes about an hour. In addition, it houses a small museum that may be of interest, although what is most often liked about this castle are its views of the sea.
Piazza del Duomo
La Piazza del Duomo It is one of the most central places in the city, located on the island of Ortigia, in its old area. In the square you can also see the duomo, which is how the city's cathedral is called. It is a pedestrian area surrounded by old buildings with pale stone that stand out for their beauty. In the square there is not only the cathedral but also the Palazzo Beneventano or the Archbishop's Palace.
Arethusa Fountain
In the coastal area of Ortigia is the Arethusa Fountain, in a bastion that dominates the port and the coast. This source has a lot to do with mythology, since it is said in it that the goddess Artemis turned it into a source so that she could escape from Alfeo's sexual harassment. This myth surrounds the fountain that today is a place much visited by tourists for its beauty and for the wonderful sunsets that can be seen from its location.
Syracuse Market
If there is an authentic place in this city, it is undoubtedly the market, an area in which it is possible to try all the Sicilian most typical local products. This market is a really picturesque place, with its red awnings and products that fill the air with all kinds of smells. You can try the raw materials and you will surely be tempted to buy a lot of things. It is the best place to meet its people.
Syracuse port
One of the most visited in the city is its port, which has a great importance in the life of its people. It is a place as picturesque as the market, with beautiful seafaring prints and areas for walking.
Neapolis archaeological park
This is the most important archaeological zone of Syracuse. In this place you will visit the Greek Theater, the Roman amphitheater and also the famous Ear of Dionysus.
La Oreja de Dionisio is a natural cave in the limestone rock on the Temenitas hill. As a curious fact, it must be said that this name was coined by the famous painter Caravaggio. Visitors especially enjoy the great acoustics inside the cave.
Catacombs of San Giovanni
These catacombs are another recommended visitIt is surprising how large it is, with crossroads and underground streets dedicated to burials. Inside there is nothing left, only the space occupied by the tombs, since they were looted centuries ago. The breadth of the catacombs is so great that there is a legend that says that a teacher and her students got lost in them when she entered them and did not find the exit. In its main area you can see some arcades of an ancient aqueduct that was used to create the catacombs.
Paolo Orsi Archaeological Museum
This is the Syracuse regional museum, being one of the main archaeological museums in Europe. Inside the museum you can see finds from prehistory, from the Greek or Roman times. It is divided into several sectors that can be visited to learn about the Hellenistic period, the findings of Syracuse or prehistory.