Things to do in Ortigia Italy – what to see attractions and activities

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 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 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.

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 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.

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.

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 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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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 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.

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 Tower of Avalos was built in 1570 by Viceroy Don Francisco Fernandez Avalos de Aquino. It is located on the island that is located in the Ionian Sea, in Sicily. Officially it is part of the municipality of Augusta in the province of Syracuse in Sicily. The Tower and the Lantern were demolished in 1678 by the French, in 1681 it was rebuilt. The tower of Avalos has a height of 26 m. It was used by the Navy as a port control zone until the 1970s. It belongs to medieval times.

The Greek city Megara Hublea (Iblea) is located within the municipal territory of Augusta, north of Syracuse in Sicily. It was built in 729 BC by Megaresi, a Greek colony. It was demolished in 483 BC by the tyrant of Gela, and in 213 BC by the Romans. It has a location directly overlooking the sea. Today there are the ruins of the Greek city including the remains of the Hellenistic Sanctuary, the Hellenistic Temple, the Hellenistic Baths and the Heroon, the Western fortifications and finally the metallurgical workshop.

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.