Discover Syracuse: History, Nature and Sea

Syracuse combines an exceptionally rich history with protected wetlands, Mediterranean seascapes and vibrant Sicilian culture. When planning your trip, it is worth viewing the city as more than just a historic destination: Ortigia, Neapolis, the Ciane River and the Plemmirio Marine Protected Area each offer their own distinct focus.

Ortigia and the historic landmarks of Syracuse

Ortigia is the historic centre of ancient Syracuse and an island that has been inhabited for around 3,000 years. Two bridges connect it with the rest of Siracusa: Ponte Umbertino and Ponte Santa Lucia. Siracusa railway station is also important for geographical orientation; it is located about 1.5 kilometres from the centre of Ortigia.

Several eras meet directly on Ortigia. Columns from the Temple of Athena have been preserved on the north side of the Cathedral of Siracusa. At the tip of the island stands Castello Maniace, which Frederick II had built between 1232 and 1240 on the site of an older fortress. Palazzo Bellomo is an important building of Swabian origin and houses collections of medieval and modern art. At the Fonte Aretusa, a freshwater spring forms a small semicircular pond with fish, geese and ducks.

Neapolis: Theatre, quarries and archaeology

The archaeological area of Neapolis occupies the northern part of the Neapolis district, one of the five districts that made up Siracusa in Greek and Roman times. Among its notable structures is the Greek theatre, which was carved entirely into the rocks of Temenite Hill. It is still used during theatre seasons as a venue for performances, tragedies and classical productions.

The Latomies of Neapolis include the Grotta dei Cordari and the Orecchio di Dionisio. The latter is known for acoustic phenomena such as amplification and echo. The area also contains the so-called Tomb of Archimedes, a Roman-era burial chamber carved into the rock face. The archaeological heritage also includes a Roman amphitheatre, whose dating is disputed and which is attributed partly to Augustus and partly to Septimius Severus. The Ara of Hieron II was a monumental altar for public sacrifices by the city.

River landscape and marine protected area

The Fiume Ciane e Saline di Siracusa nature reserve protects and revitalises the papyrus along the Ciane River and preserves the environmental value of the wetlands of the Saline di Siracusa. The protected area features species-rich riverside vegetation, including species that are rare in Sicily, as well as wildlife associated with river and wetland habitats. This creates a clear contrast with the stone-built settings of Ortigia and Neapolis.

By the sea lies the Plemmirio Marine Protected Area, which is designated as a Particularly Sensitive Sea Area of Mediterranean Importance (ASPIM). It includes the special protection area ITA090030 Fondali del Plemmirio. Underwater trails with ten entry points lead to the seabed. In areas where the seabed drops steeply, there are numerous underwater caves containing corals, sponges, bryozoans, slipper lobsters, nudibranchs and numerous fish species. Capo Murro di Porco offers opportunities to observe large pelagic fish and marine mammals, including tuna, amberjacks, sharks, dolphins, whales and sperm whales. Gli Archi is a wall dive suitable for all divers, as it presents no particular difficulties.

Excursions, cuisine and regional discoveries

Castello Eurialo provides another historic highlight: it stands at the highest point of the Epipoli plateau in the Belvedere district of Siracusa, about 8 kilometres from the city centre, and offers extensive views over the city. In the surrounding region of Siracusa lies Pantalica, a rocky landscape with more than 5,000 tombs carved into the rock.

Local culture can also be explored through its markets, stages and wines. The Ortigia market offers vegetables, meat, dairy products, pulses, fish and seafood, accompanied by the so-called “Vanniate”. The Teatro dei Pupi in Siracusa revives the old yet contemporary theatrical form of Opra dei pupi. A wine route through the area includes a visit to Ortigia, the Baroque churches and the market, concluding with a wine tasting at a local winery. Particularly high-quality wines include Siracusa Moscato, also available as Passito or Spumante, as well as red wines based on Nero d’Avola and Syrah. Siracusa is also home to Sicily’s oldest stone-built Doric temple and a pilgrimage site.

Other destinations in the Syracuse selection

For further orientation, you can also view Avola (Avola), Brucoli (Brucoli), Fanusa (Fanusa), Floridia (Floridia), Syracuse (Syracuse), Francofonte (Francofonte), Lentini (Lentini), Lido Di Noto (Lido Di Noto), Marzamemi (Marzamemi), Noto (Noto), Portopalo Di Capo Passero (Portopalo Di Capo Passero), Sortino (Sortino), Terrauzza (Terrauzza), Solarino (Solarino), San Corrado Di Fuori (San Corrado Di Fuori), Cassibile (Cassibile), Carlentini (Carlentini), Ognina (Ognina), Arenella (Arenella), Pachino (Pachino), Palazzolo Acreide (Palazzolo Acreide), Augusta (Augusta), Agnone (Agnone), Canicattini Bagni (Canicattini Bagni), Villasmundo (Villasmundo), Rosolini (Rosolini), Villa Vela (Villa Vela), San Lorenzo (San Lorenzo), Plemmirio (Plemmirio), Fontane Bianche (Fontane Bianche), Carrozziere (Carrozziere), Testa Dell'acqua (Testa Dell'acqua), Buccheri (Buccheri), Belvedere (Belvedere), Melilli (Melilli), Ferla (Ferla), Isab - Erg (Isab - Erg), Granelli (Granelli), Calabernardo (Calabernardo), Priolo Gargallo (Priolo Gargallo), Città Giardino (Città Giardino) and Villa Bibbia (Villa Bibbia) .