Siracusa

Syracuse was founded in the 8th century BC by a group of Greek colonies from Corinth. It was counted among the largest metropolises of the ancient world and was the most important city in the Western world. Its identity is literally impregnated with historical memories. The first thing to visit is the Archaeological Park, which in the past was identified as Neapolis, the district where most of the social and religious structures of the ancient city (theaters, altars, shrines) were concentrated and was never inhabited. In the complex, there are many things to see, inside which I recommend visiting the Greek Theater, the Ear of Dionysius, the rope makers' cave, the Roman Amphitheater, the Altar of Gerone II, and other monuments. Therefore, plan to spend at least an hour and a half there.

Near the Theater, there is a small street that leads to the latomie, the ancient stone quarries that were also used as warehouses and granaries. However, the best-known purpose is that of a prison: the incarcerated prisoners spent a decidedly unpleasant stay here since the conditions inside were unbearable in the summer due to excessive heat and in winter due to excessive cold. The Latomia del Paradiso is undoubtedly the most interesting, also for the artificial cave 23 meters high and 65 meters long called the Ear of Dionysius. The name was coined by Caravaggio, who stayed in the city for a short period. The famous artist noticed the resemblance to an ear and wanted to "dedicate" it to the tyrant Dionysius since it was narrated that he used the acoustic qualities of the cave, which amplify sounds up to 16 times, to listen to the speeches of political rivals.

The Catacombs of San Giovanni: The subsoil of the current northeast area of the city is full of catacombs. This is because, in Roman times, there was a ban on burying Christian dead within urban boundaries (the city had moved to Ortigia), and therefore this solution had to be resorted to.

Among the visitable catacombs are those under the Basilica of San Giovanni (Largo San Marciano 3), an intricate and fascinating underground labyrinth in which entire families were buried in the thousands of niches carved into the floor and walls. These catacombs were quite sought after because there was the tomb of San Marciano, the first bishop of the city, and all common mortals wanted to have a place next to him.

A few steps from both the catacombs and the museum is the more than imposing Sanctuary of the Madonna delle Lacrime, which can be seen from virtually any point in the city. Its shape should resemble a giant tear, and history teaches us why. The Sanctuary was built to house a miraculous image of the Madonna that in 1953 shed tears for a consecutive 5 days.

The island of Ortigia represents the historic center of the city. It is a small island 1 kilometer long and just 500 meters wide, where the real spirit of the city is concentrated, and where over 3,000 years of history are preserved. Walking aimlessly among its narrow streets surrounded by low houses and elegant Baroque palaces, you will arrive at the waterfront.

At the entrance of Ortigia, just beyond the local fish, fruit, and vegetable market, you can admire the Temple of Apollo, the oldest Doric temple in Sicily.

The most beautiful and scenic square in Ortigia but also in all of Syracuse is undoubtedly Piazza Duomo, where several grandiose works of art are concentrated. Here Baroque dictates the law and does it superbly.

We start with the Cattedrale della Natività di Maria Santissima where the beautiful and elegant Baroque facade contrasts with a more "rustic" interior highlighting the robust Doric columns incorporated into the structure. This cathedral stands on the columns of a Greek temple dedicated to the goddess Athena.

Next to the Cathedral, at the corner of Piazza Minerva, is the Town Hall of Syracuse, housed in an elegant Baroque palace from the seventeenth century, the Vermexio Palace, named after the architect who designed it, Giovanni Vermexio, a prominent figure in the city who left various testimonies. Another attraction to admire in the square is the Church of Santa Lucia alla Badia, dedicated to the patron saint of the city.

Another interesting attraction in the square is the Hypogeum of Piazza Duomo. It is an underground path discovered in 1869, consisting of a main gallery that connects Piazza Duomo with the Foro Italico (from where one exits) and other secondary tunnels. It dates back to the Greek era but was then expanded during World War II when it was used as an air-raid shelter. Inside the hypogeum, there are explanatory panels and photos of its transformation over the centuries, with a focus on the bombing that the city of Syracuse suffered on July 19, 1943. To access it, you must pass through the small threshold along the wall of the Archbishop's Palace garden.

Let's continue our visit to Ortigia by heading towards Palazzo Bellomo, a few minutes' walk from Piazza Duomo. In Palazzo Bellomo, which represents an interesting mix of architectural elements from the 13th and 15th centuries, there is a small but valuable museum where the Annunciation by Antonello da Messina (1474) takes center stage.

Don't miss the opportunity to visit the Maniace Castle. The castle takes its name from the Byzantine general who reconquered the city in 1038. It was a fortress, and its walls served to defend the city from attacks from the sea. You can visit it from the outside if you don't have much time, but also from the inside if you wish.

One of the most unique attractions in the city is undoubtedly the Fountain of Arethusa. It is a semicircular pond a few meters from the sea, fed by a freshwater spring where original papyrus plants grow and many small fish swim. It is a place associated with several legends, the most famous of which features the nymph Arethusa, who asks the goddess Artemis for help to escape an insistent suitor, Alpheus. Artemis transforms her into a fountain. Unfortunately for her, Alpheus also seeks the help of the gods, who transform him into a river that finally reunites his waters with those of his beloved, now turned into a fountain.