A Guide to Siracusa

Siracusa is found in the south-eastern corner of Sicily. This area has always been Sicily’s wealthiest and this reflected in the collection of fabulous architecture in Siracusa. Over the centuries, Siracusa has been conquered by the Romans, the Byzantines, the Goti, the Arabs, the Normans, the Genovesi, the Svevi and the Aragons.

However the city has also been plagued by the destructive earthquakes, although the major one of 1693 led to a host of majestic Baroque architecture filling the holes of flattened buildings. This city has long held its pride, having once been a great maritime power in the Mediterranean. However both before and after the hey day of Siracusa it has maintained its splendor and this is reflected in the collection of archeological finds in the Archaeological Park of Neapolis.

If you visit in summer don’t miss the Greek plays that are performed in the famous Greek Theatre that is one of the largest and best preserved of its kind. Other sites include the Quarry of Paradise (Latomia del Paradiso) with the magnificent cave called the Ear of Dionysius, the Roman Amphitheatre, the Teatro Lineare, Museo Archeologico Regionale 'Paolo Orsi', Catacombs of San Giovanni and the quarry of Latomia dei Cappuccini.

There are many other attractions in the area such as the Basalica di Santa Lucia, the Santuario della Madonna delle Lacrime, the Greek Arsenal, the Ginnasio Romano, the Regional Gallery of Palazzo Bellomo and the Cinema museum.