Things to do in Fontane Bianche Italy – what to see attractions and activities

About 15 kilometers from Syracuse, there is the beach of the white fountains which has nothing to envy of those exotic areas that we often see on television or on the internet. It is made up of natural white stones and very fine white sand. Its particular name is due to the fact that on it there are numerous freshwater fountains as well as bathing establishments, hotels and fantastic nightclubs. Here, the possibility of practicing water sports in complete tranquility is offered.

The seaside resort Punta Asparano is a wild place and less exploited than other places despite the fact that imposing tourist complexes have been built. Behind them are the prairies of Posidonia that enchant for the natural scenery and for the headlands that frame the coast. Here too we find a crystal clear and unspoiled sea and a series of coves that climb on the beach for almost a kilometer.

The Dolmen di Avola or the so-called Dolmen di Ciancio, named so in honor of Prof. Archaeologist Salvatore Ciancio, is located in the municipality of Avola in the province of Syracuse in Sicily. The dolmen is a prehistoric single room building. The Dolmen of Acola was realized from the 5th millennium BC to the end of the III millennium BC. It belongs to the Neolithic Age. It is located a few kilometers from the center of Avola. It was built with stones of three or four vertical legs that support one or more horizontal slabs. It was discovered in 1961.

The Civic Museum of Avola, is located in the south of Piazza Umberto and is located in an eighteenth-century building. It was born to collect and present archaeological findings to the public. Inside the museum, we can admire a rich collection of archaeological objects from Avola Antica. In addition to this we also find prehistoric Sicilian, Greek, Roman, Medieval and Renaissance finds. It is currently open to all interested parties.

South of Syracuse, we find the famous Peninsula of La Maddalena which is the extension of the great port and is formed by coastal overhanging the sea. You get there on foot through a characteristic path where you can immediately notice the wonder of nature that created natural rocky flounces dominated by a cave called “Pilgrim's Cave”. Already from the height of the path, you can see the rocky seabed, through the water that is of a beautiful emerald shade.

Located at the tip of the island. In 1038 the Byzantine general Maniace created a fortress in the harbor. In 1239 it has been expanded by Frederick II, and subsequently used for a long time as a a military structure.

The Fonte Aretusa is located on the island of Ortigia, in the ancient part of the city of Syracuse, it is a body of water that develops from an outlet of the groundwater that is located in Syracuse, the water table also feeds the Ciame River. The source is today a meeting and walking place in Ortigia.

The cathedral was designed after the 1693 earthquake, according to new plans by Andrea Palma da Palermo. The magnificent staircase is flanked by statues of Peter and Paul.

The oldest temple in Sicily has been made in the Byzantine era as a church. Then it was used as a a mosque, and later again as a a Christian church and in modern times as a military barracks.

The Syracuse Forum is located at one of the busy intersections of the city. The Forum was known, until 1910, as the 'Square of Weapons'. Inside you can visit the temple dedicated to Zeus. Currently, the Forum is under restoration, with the aim of restoring the splendor of the past.

Its design and architect makes the tourists marvel. It is one of the monuments, which the Greeks and Romans built. The monument was exclusively used for classic dramas during the ancient times. The wild animals slaughtered criminals and slaves here and most gladiatorial fights contested here.

The Ancient Arsenal was a shipyard of the Greek age, where the merchant and war boats of the Syracuse fleet were manufactured and adjusted. In this building the majestic ship 'Siracosia' was built, which served as both a warship and a merchant. The ship was donated to Ptolemy of Egypt by Heron II as a sign of gratitude as an ally. The arsenal structure could contain more than three hundred ships.

Erected in the Imperial Age in the 3rd - 4th century AD of the amphitheater you can see only the bases, the stripping perpetrated over the centuries completely destroyed the upward part. Elliptical in shape, the external diameters measure mt- 140 x 119, the amphitheater is one of the greatest buildings of the existing genre.

The Latomia of Santa Venera is located in the eastern part of the Neapolis park in Syracuse. It is assumed that Latomy was excavated as early as the 5th century BC, and used until Roman times. For a long time it was transformed into a garden with a sub tropical vegetation. The Latomia of Santa Venera together with the other Latomies located in the Neapolis park represent one of the most fascinating places in Syracuse.

Latomia del Paradiso is located near the Syracuse Greek theatre and is the most famous among the latomies of Syracuse. It is bare and vertical walls where different vegetations of oranges, palm trees and prickly pears unfold. Its peculiarity lies in being the place where the cave stands called “The Ear of Dionysus” that the tyrant had made up to act as a prison and listen to the conversations of the prisoners.

The Cordari Cave is located in the Latomia del Paradiso in Syracuse and is so called because it has been used by string builders during the centuries. Its structure has thin pillars of natural stone likely to be excavated by men in remote times.

The Sanctuary was built as a reminder of the miraculous tearing of a plaster painting depicting the Immaculate Heart of Mary, placed in the bedside of the residence of the Iannuso spouses. Construction began in 1966, under the direction of the architects Michel Andrault and Pierre Parat, following the winning of the international competition for the construction of the sanctuary. Work was completed in 1994, and the splendid building was inaugurated by John Paul II.

The Catacomb St. John the Evangelista is one of the most special archaeological sites in Syracuse, and dates back between 315 and 360 A.D. The atmosphere of the places of the Catacomb is immense and full of mystery and curiosity. From all the catacombs present in Syracuse, the catacomb St. John the Evangelista is the most easily visited.

The Hermitage of San Corrado Outside the Walls is located in the Valley of Miracles not very far from Noto. It was inhabited by San Corrado Confalonieri in the period between 1322 and 1351. The church of San Corrado Outside the Walls was built during the eighteenth century in the place where this hermitage was located. Inside there is a statue dedicated to the Saint as well as a canvas of the “Madonna and Child” and a shovel depicting San Corrado.

The Castle of Eurialo was built between 402 and 397 BC, at the behest of Dionysius I and is located on the terrace of the Epipoli district, not far from Syracuse. The Castle was intended to protect the city from sieges and enemy attacks. The structure is special because it was followed by several galleries that used to move troops from one point of the castle to another without being seen by enemies.

The church of the Most Holy Crucifix is the second largest church in the municipality of Noto. It was designed in the first decades of the eighteenth century by Rosario Gagliardi. Inside it has 3 naves, decorated with marble altars and covered by domes. On the right headboard is the most important work, the marble statue of the Madonna della Neve by Francesco Laurana, coming from Noto Antica, which dates back to 1471, on the other hand, in the left nave is find the Chapel of Landolina decorated with stuccoes and frescoes.

The Latomy of the Capuchins is located on the eastern border of the Greek Pentapoli in Syracuse, constituting one of the most beautiful and ancient places in the Sicilian city. The name comes from its function as a quarry that over the centuries has provided construction material for the whole Syracuse city. Instead, the name of the Capuchins is given to her, since the University of Syracuse, in 1582, gave it to the friars minor of St. Francis to build a fortified convent in the area above, with the intent of defend the coast from pirates.

The Ferdinandea Royal Gate of Noto is the symbol of entry into the city. It was designed in 1838 in honor of King Ferdinand II of Bourbon. The construction was completed in the same year and is still well preserved today.

Since the Impellizzeri were opposed to building the city on the Colle delle Meti, they were at odds with the other noble families of the time so they decided to build the palace in the upper part of Noto. The style used is a blend of the Baroque with the Neoclassical characterized by a large portal surmounted by the coat of arms of the family and several pillars. At the entrance there are two memorial tombstones concerning the family, while in the different rooms you can see decorations with stuccoes and canvases from the 18th century.

The church of San Francesco D'Assisi is among the most impressive religious buildings in Noto. The church was built at the end of the eighteenth century. Its peculiarity is clearly visible on its facade, in the transition from the Baroque style to the classic one. Of particular interest, is the tabernacle of the high altar in bronze and silver embossed and chiseled.

The Church of Montevergine or San Girolamo was built between 1695 and 1697, for the Cistercian Sisters of Monte Vergine. The church is dedicated to St. Jerome, doctor of the Church. The building has a concave façade, with two bell towers and has an interesting scenographic aspect. At the top of the staircase stands the door, bordered by six pilasters and two quadrangular columns. The Church has a single nave, surrounded by Corinthian columns with a classic look, surmounted by stuccoes and half-reliefs of angels.

The Basilica of San Salvatore is a building with lines from the late eighteenth century. Inside there are pure gold decorations that embellish it even more and the frescoes of the well-known painter Mazza, moreover, in the altars there are four canvases dating back to Velasco. The scenography is characterized by the splendid staircase closed on one side by the Monastery of the Holy Savior.

The church of Santa Chiara was erected around 1730 and follows the model of the Roman churches with the central plan of elliptical shape. Outside there is a bell tower adorned with 2 capitals. Of great interest, are the 12 internal columns on which there are the statues of the apostles and the Baroque architectural style that is recognized above all inside the church with the decorations in stucco and putti.

The Cathedral dedicated to S. Nicolò di Mira was characterized by a happy fusion of Baroque and classic elements together. Its reconstruction has mixed the eighteenth-century construction techniques with the most modern technologies in the field of anti-seismic engineering. In addition, the works of art that make up its contents can be considered the symbol of a diocesan community, alive and creative.

The building dates back to the 18th century and is the seat of the Town Hall. The biggest attraction of this building is the Hall of Mirrors, which has an oval shape decorated with gold stucco and beautiful mirrors. The central painting was carried out in 1826 by the master A. Mazza and depicts an allegory of the king of the Sicilian. The room is used to host illustrious delegations and prestigious events.

Also known by the name Prince's Palace, this building was restored to its former glory after a complete renovation. The construction dates back to the beginning of the 18th century, and was designed by Rosario Gagliardi on commission of the Nicolaci family. The style is purely Baroque, decorated with several balconies enclosed by curved railings. Among the decorative elements we can also note mermaids, winged horses, sphinxes and many others.

The Civic Museum of Noto is divided into two sections, the first archaeological that collects all the finds found from the excavations of the ancient archaeological complex of Noto and the second artistic is the Art Gallery contemporary E.E. Pirrone, created by the donation of the works of the sculptor Giuseppe Pirrone, famous at national level.

The church of the College of Noto is the church of the Jesuit convent, and is dedicated to San Carlo Borromeo. The façade has three levels, and is characterized by free columns, instead, the interior reserves numerous works of art and various paintings on canvas. The bell tower of the church consists of three bells. From the church you can admire the panorama of the historic center of Noto.

The Church of San Domenico is a religious building from the Baroque era. It was built as a convent church of the Dominican Fathers at the beginning of the 18th century. The façade has two orders, the first Doric and the second Ionian, while the central part is convex. The interior is still in good condition today. The building has five domes beautifully decorated with stucco and altars with paintings from the eighteenth-century period. Today, the former Convent is transformed into a school.

The Teatro Comunale Vittorio Emanuele is located in front of the Church of San Domenico and dates back to the end of the 19th century. It was inaugurated in 1870, and, since then, the stage of the theater has hosted the most famous artists such as Tina di Lorenzo, Pierantonio Tasca and Eleonore Duse. The theater has a capacity of 320 seats and a gallery with 80 seats. In 1990 the theater was renovated and reopened in 1997.

The door to the Mountain, from which you access Monte Alveria, is located in the “Ancient Noto”, the ancient town of Noto destroyed in 1693 by a powerful earthquake. Noto had powerful walls (fortifications) from which it was accessed through two north and south gates and seven smaller gates, one of these precisely “The Gate of the Mountain”. The fortifications were erected during the Arab domination between the 800 and 900 the door is still well preserved.

The Tonnara di Santa Panagia was built in the eighteenth century, after the earthquake of 1693, although its origins date back to 1100. In the second half of the twentieth century, it became inactive after fishing for tuna was introduced through flying nets and the proposition of various chemical industries in the nearby area. Unfortunately, today the tonnara is in a deteriorating condition, even though projects have been set up for its restructuring.

The royal castle of Noto, also known as the old castle, is located in Noto Antica, on Mount Alveria, about 10 km from Noto. The castle is the only well-preserved monument in the entire medieval town. A hanging wall, which can be seen even from afar, is what is left of the tower. The fortress walls are covered with graffiti and written left by the prisoners. We can still find crosses, dates, names and even Galeoni's imaginative drawing. On the floor there are several rectangular engravings used for game with checkers.