Discover Syracuse

Syracuse between ancient city, island centre and nature

Syracuse brings together several very different impressions within a compact cultural and natural setting. The oldest settlement lies on Ortigia, while the Fiume Ciane e Saline di Siracusa nature reserve has a completely different character: here, the Ciane River, papyrus and a wetland take centre stage. This gives you a clear choice when planning your trip between historical discoveries, nature observation and a combination of both focuses.

Ortigia and the UNESCO World Heritage Site

Ortigia is the oldest settlement of Syracuse and is connected to the rest of Syracuse by two bridges. The island is home to the Fonte Aretusa, a freshwater pool connected to a spring. Castello Maniace stands at the far end of Ortigia. Frederick II built the fortress in 1239; it has a square layout, sides measuring 58 metres and four cylindrical towers at the corners.

The part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site relating to the ancient city of Syracuse includes the island of Ortigia and the archaeological area of Neapolis. The monuments and archaeological sites combine Greek, Roman and Baroque cultural influences. Those interested in different historical periods will therefore find not just a single attraction, but several clearly distinct expressions of the city's history.

Ciane and the salt pans: a protected wetland

The Fiume Ciane e Saline di Siracusa nature reserve protects the papyrus along the Ciane River and preserves the salt pans' wetland. It consists of the course of the Ciane River and the wetland of the salt pans near its mouth. The salt pans are an important wetland and serve as a resting place for migratory birds. Species found there include flamingos, osprey, cormorants and various large wading birds.

This creates a natural area of its own ecological importance alongside Ortigia's historical focus. When choosing your accommodation, you can first consider whether you want to centre your stay mainly on Syracuse's cultural sites or on the surrounding landscapes and wetlands. The verified local facts do not establish any specific distances or characteristics of individual accommodations.

Catacombs, art and religious buildings

The Catacomb of San Giovanni is a complex dating from the 4th century. Its main gallery is an almost 100-metre-long tunnel whose walls are lined with loculi and arcosolia. The Galleria Regionale di Palazzo Bellomo offers a different way of exploring history. It presents medieval and modern art collections with works dating from the Byzantine period to the 18th century. Palazzo Bellomo, which houses the regional gallery, is considered a well-preserved example of 12th-century Frederick II architecture.

The Sanctuary of Madonna delle Lacrime is also one of the city's notable cultural sites. It was inaugurated by John Paul II on 6 November 1994. Together with Castello Maniace, the catacombs and the collections in Palazzo Bellomo, it creates a broad spectrum encompassing fortifications, underground architecture, art and religious history.

Lemon cultivation and other destinations

Syracuse has a thousand-year-old tradition of lemon cultivation, passed down from generation to generation. This local tradition complements the historical and natural themes with an aspect of regional food culture and agriculture.

If, after choosing your focus, you would like to discover further destinations in the same broader area, you can also explore Melilli, Augusta, Agnone, Granelli, Fontane Bianche, Carrozziere and Carlentini. This allows you to combine your search for accommodation with the question of which historical, natural or regional focuses should shape your trip to Sicily.

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More about the destination

Relevant information for planning your trip:

Province of Syracuse: Ortigia, antiquity and the southeast coast | Sizilien-Netz.