What to See
ORTIGIA: is the part of Syracuse that attracts the most tourists. The island of Ortigia is considered the beating heart of Syracuse, a true jewel where culture and history meet to give rise to an artistic spectacle without equal.
Among the unmissable places in the surroundings of Syracuse are Noto, the Vendicari nature reserve, Pantalica, Palazzolo Acreide, Cavagrande del Cassibile and Marzamemi.
Greek Theatre of Syracuse
The Greek Theatre of Syracuse is a theatre located within the Neapolis Archaeological Park, on the southern slopes of the Temenite hill, in Syracuse, Sicily. Built in the 5th century BC, it underwent interventions in the 3rd century BC and again in the Roman era. This building is the oldest theatre in the entire West.
Ear of Dionysus
The Ear of Dionysius (or Ear of Dionysius) is an artificial cave located in the ancient stone quarry called latomia del Paradiso, under the Greek Theatre of Syracuse. Dug into the limestone, it is about 23 m high, 5 to 11 m wide and extends in depth for 65 m,[1] with an S-shaped path that also makes it a place of acoustic amplification of sounds.
The reason for this trend comes from the presence of an ancient aqueduct in the upper part of the cave. From that track the builders dug downwards, creating the current shape. This particularly sinuous conformation of the walls leaves open the question of its real use. That is, whether it was only a quarry or whether it served to amplify sounds.
Syracuse Cathedral
The Cathedral of Syracuse, officially the Metropolitan Cathedral of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, is the main place of Catholic worship in Syracuse. It stands on the elevated part of the island of Ortigia, incorporating the Doric-style Athenaion, the main sacred temple of the polis of Syrakousai, dedicated to Athena.
In the 7th century, the temple was transformed into a Christian basilica.[1]
The church has become part of the assets protected by UNESCO as a world heritage site. Its style is mainly baroque and rococo on the outside, while inside it alternates parts dating back to the Siceliot era, since they belong to the Greek temple and parts dating back to the medieval era, built by the Normans. The internal structure is composed of several naves and chapels, which have a classical and decorated style, also typical of the baroque.
It houses statues, relics and remains of saints, martyrs and nobles of Syracuse. Its furnishings have seen the succession of artists from various parts of Italy and abroad. Always a symbol of Syracusan religiosity, the cathedral went through the various historical and cultural phases of the city.
Cathedral of Noto
The Cathedral of San Nicolò is the most important Catholic place of worship in the city of Noto, as well as the episcopal seat of the diocese of the same name, in Sicily. It is located at the top of a large staircase and is dedicated to San Nicolò.
The construction of the temple began in 1694, and was completed in 1703, the year in which it was opened for worship with the solemn dedication. Over the centuries, however, both the facade and the interior have undergone numerous alterations, which gave it its current appearance only at the end of the 19th century, with the construction of a new dome, the work of Cassone from Noto.
The interior, with three naves, houses numerous works of art, some of which come from Ancient Noto, including the silver urn containing the mortal remains of San Corrado Confalonieri. On 21 January 2012, Pope Benedict XVI elevated the cathedral to a minor basilica.
Marzamemi
The village was born around the landing, which later became a fishing port, and developed thanks to this latter activity, still widely practiced today, also equipping itself with a tuna fishery, among the most important in Sicily. The tuna fishery of Marzamemi dates back to the time of Spanish domination in Sicily in 1600 under the reign of Philip IV, which in 1655 was sold to the baron Simone Calascibetta of Piazza Armerina.