Syracuse
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By Dion Protani
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Latest update: 30 December 2023
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The city of Syracuse (Siracusa in Italian) is the capital city of the Province of Syracuse with a population of 121,171 inhabitants.
Situated on the Ionian coast, it covers a total area of 208 km² and lies 260 kilometres south east of Palermo, the regional capital of Sicily. Founded 2,700 years ago, Syracuse was once the most important city in Europe. Wars, empires and developments in architecture have since shaped the modern city into a fascinating ancient legacy. |
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History of Syracuse: Greek origins to Baroque Architecture
There are few places on this planet with such an illustrious history as Syracuse. Founded by the Greeks in the 7th century BC, it later developed into a powerful city state, to the extent that it not only rivalled Athens but defeated it in war. Merely adding to the city's lustre is an enviable roll-call of names that have at one time or another called Syracuse home: Archimedes and Plato among them. The Romans followed the Greeks with Cicero in particular spending an extended amount of time here and left spell-bound by the city's beauty.
The Byzantines briefly made Syracuse their capital while later conquerors including the Normans, Bourbons, Aragonese and Muslims all left their mark. One of the key dates in the history of Syracuse is 11th January 1693; a date on which a huge earthquake struck Sicily, devastating much of the island and Syracuse in particular. An irony of that devastation is that it gave birth to most of what we consider beautiful in the Syracuse of today: namely its Baroque architecture. It is to its architectural legacy spanning almost three millennia that Syracuse owes its UNESCO World Heritage Site inscription, awarded in 2005 in conjunction with the nearby Rocky Necropolis of Pantalica.
There are few places on this planet with such an illustrious history as Syracuse. Founded by the Greeks in the 7th century BC, it later developed into a powerful city state, to the extent that it not only rivalled Athens but defeated it in war. Merely adding to the city's lustre is an enviable roll-call of names that have at one time or another called Syracuse home: Archimedes and Plato among them. The Romans followed the Greeks with Cicero in particular spending an extended amount of time here and left spell-bound by the city's beauty.
The Byzantines briefly made Syracuse their capital while later conquerors including the Normans, Bourbons, Aragonese and Muslims all left their mark. One of the key dates in the history of Syracuse is 11th January 1693; a date on which a huge earthquake struck Sicily, devastating much of the island and Syracuse in particular. An irony of that devastation is that it gave birth to most of what we consider beautiful in the Syracuse of today: namely its Baroque architecture. It is to its architectural legacy spanning almost three millennia that Syracuse owes its UNESCO World Heritage Site inscription, awarded in 2005 in conjunction with the nearby Rocky Necropolis of Pantalica.
Sightseeing areas of Syracuse
There are two distinct areas of interest to most visitors to Syracuse: the island of Ortigia and the Neapolis Archaeological Park. These two areas are separated by the modern city which is the main residential and commercial area. This modern area is called Achradina and owes its look and feel, in large part to the bombings that were carried out by both sides in World War Two. Some historical sights remain in place here but it is to Ortigia and Neapolis Archaeological Park that most visitors flock.
There are two distinct areas of interest to most visitors to Syracuse: the island of Ortigia and the Neapolis Archaeological Park. These two areas are separated by the modern city which is the main residential and commercial area. This modern area is called Achradina and owes its look and feel, in large part to the bombings that were carried out by both sides in World War Two. Some historical sights remain in place here but it is to Ortigia and Neapolis Archaeological Park that most visitors flock.
Ortigia
Ortigia is a small island at the south eastern tip of the city, separated from the Sicilian mainland by two bridges that traverse the narrow channel of water. Ortigia is the home of Syracuse's major Baroque monuments which congregate at the city's centrepiece square: Piazza Duomo.
The main sight here is Syracuse Cathedral; its beautiful Baroque facade, built after the 1693 earthquake, is just that: a facade which gives little hint as to the real history of the structure. The building in fact dates back to the 6th century BC when it started life as a Greek temple but it was later transformed into a Christian church around the 6th century AD. The Doric columns which were the main feature of the Greek temple, were built around and form an integral part of the cathedral we see today, clearly visible around the edges on the inside.
Piazza Duomo can also boast the Chiesa Santa Lucia alla Badia with its own Baroque facade but perhaps more importantly, The Burial of Santa Lucia by Caravaggio which he painted in 1608. The famed artist was in Syracuse having escaped prison in Malta and living as a fugitive, constantly looking over his shoulder for his pursuers, the Knights of Malta. So twitchy was Caravaggio about being caught that he fled Syracuse before the painting was officially unveiled.
Ortigia is a small island at the south eastern tip of the city, separated from the Sicilian mainland by two bridges that traverse the narrow channel of water. Ortigia is the home of Syracuse's major Baroque monuments which congregate at the city's centrepiece square: Piazza Duomo.
The main sight here is Syracuse Cathedral; its beautiful Baroque facade, built after the 1693 earthquake, is just that: a facade which gives little hint as to the real history of the structure. The building in fact dates back to the 6th century BC when it started life as a Greek temple but it was later transformed into a Christian church around the 6th century AD. The Doric columns which were the main feature of the Greek temple, were built around and form an integral part of the cathedral we see today, clearly visible around the edges on the inside.
Piazza Duomo can also boast the Chiesa Santa Lucia alla Badia with its own Baroque facade but perhaps more importantly, The Burial of Santa Lucia by Caravaggio which he painted in 1608. The famed artist was in Syracuse having escaped prison in Malta and living as a fugitive, constantly looking over his shoulder for his pursuers, the Knights of Malta. So twitchy was Caravaggio about being caught that he fled Syracuse before the painting was officially unveiled.
Seaside Promenades and Castello Maniace
The narrow streets around Piazza Duomo eventually give way to seaside promenades with dozens of great fish restaurants and wide walkways. There are various places to swim here or simply stroll and take in the sea air. Among the most interesting sights around the edges of Ortigia is the Castello Maniace, a 12th century castle from where you can enjoy some of the best views of the city's coastal area.
The narrow streets around Piazza Duomo eventually give way to seaside promenades with dozens of great fish restaurants and wide walkways. There are various places to swim here or simply stroll and take in the sea air. Among the most interesting sights around the edges of Ortigia is the Castello Maniace, a 12th century castle from where you can enjoy some of the best views of the city's coastal area.
Neapolis Archaeological Park
Back across the bridge that joins Ortigia to mainland Syracuse, you head north to reach the second main area of interest in the city: the Neapolis Archaeological Park. This is very much a step back in time from the Baroque surroundings of Ortigia; the main sight here being the huge Greek Theatre. Dating back to the 5th century BC, the Greek Theatre could accommodate 15,000 spectators and to this day remains almost entirely intact. In fact it's worth noting the difference between the Greek Theatre and the Roman Amphitheatre, just a short walk away and in the same park, that hasn't fared quite as well in the intervening years.
One of the most curious sights in the Neapolis Archaeological Park is the "Ear of Dionysius". The name comes from the Greek tyrant Dionysius who originally established the city. Due in part to its auricular shape, it is to Caravaggio that we owe this modern-day nickname. As mentioned above, a fugitive himself at the time, Caravaggio was said to be appalled at the way the cave's acoustics allowed Dionysius to eavesdrop on the prisoners who were forced to work at the quarry under slave-labour.
Back across the bridge that joins Ortigia to mainland Syracuse, you head north to reach the second main area of interest in the city: the Neapolis Archaeological Park. This is very much a step back in time from the Baroque surroundings of Ortigia; the main sight here being the huge Greek Theatre. Dating back to the 5th century BC, the Greek Theatre could accommodate 15,000 spectators and to this day remains almost entirely intact. In fact it's worth noting the difference between the Greek Theatre and the Roman Amphitheatre, just a short walk away and in the same park, that hasn't fared quite as well in the intervening years.
One of the most curious sights in the Neapolis Archaeological Park is the "Ear of Dionysius". The name comes from the Greek tyrant Dionysius who originally established the city. Due in part to its auricular shape, it is to Caravaggio that we owe this modern-day nickname. As mentioned above, a fugitive himself at the time, Caravaggio was said to be appalled at the way the cave's acoustics allowed Dionysius to eavesdrop on the prisoners who were forced to work at the quarry under slave-labour.
Close to Syracuse
Nearly all the places to visit close to Syracuse are located to the south of the city. The beach resorts of Fontane Bianche and Avola are just a short drive away while of greater interest are the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of the Late Baroque Towns of the Val di Noto including Modica and best of all, Noto itself.
Further south of Noto lies the Vendicari Nature Reserve with its beaches including Calamosche. To the west of Syracuse lies another Baroque town, Palazzolo Acreide while the one major sight immediately to the north of the city is the Necropolis of Pantalica, also listed by UNESCO under the same inscription as Syracuse.
Nearly all the places to visit close to Syracuse are located to the south of the city. The beach resorts of Fontane Bianche and Avola are just a short drive away while of greater interest are the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of the Late Baroque Towns of the Val di Noto including Modica and best of all, Noto itself.
Further south of Noto lies the Vendicari Nature Reserve with its beaches including Calamosche. To the west of Syracuse lies another Baroque town, Palazzolo Acreide while the one major sight immediately to the north of the city is the Necropolis of Pantalica, also listed by UNESCO under the same inscription as Syracuse.
Comune di Siracusa
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Province: Syracuse
Region: Sicily Population: 117,055 (source: ISTAT 1 January 2023) Size: 208 km² Top sights: Greek Theatre, Syracuse Cathedral, Piazza Duomo Recommended accommodation: Caportigia Boutique Hotel Close by: Pantalica, Fontane Bianche, Noto, Modica, Ragusa |
UNESCO World Heritage Site
Syracuse and the Rocky Necropolis of Pantalica
Year: 2005
Syracuse and the Rocky Necropolis of Pantalica
Year: 2005
Syracuse Travel
The train station in Syracuse is neatly positioned in between Ortigia and the Neapolis Archaeological Park, roughly a 20 minute walk to both although there are buses available in each direction.
Trains run north from Syracuse, along the eastern coast towards Messina (2 hours 50 minutes), stopping along the way in Catania (1 hour 12 minutes) and Taormina/Giardini Naxos (1 hour 50 minutes).
Trains also run south and inland towards Ragusa (2 hours 12 minutes), with notable stops along the way at the Baroque town of Noto (41 minutes), the port town of Pozzallo (1 hour 17 minutes) and the further Baroque towns of Scicli (1 hour 38 minutes) and Modica (1 hour 51 minutes).
The most convenient airport for Syracuse is Catania Airport which is 39 minutes away by car (60 km). Sicily's two other airports don't offer convenient alternatives; both Palermo Airport and Trapani Airport are more than 3 hours away from Syracuse.
Trains run north from Syracuse, along the eastern coast towards Messina (2 hours 50 minutes), stopping along the way in Catania (1 hour 12 minutes) and Taormina/Giardini Naxos (1 hour 50 minutes).
Trains also run south and inland towards Ragusa (2 hours 12 minutes), with notable stops along the way at the Baroque town of Noto (41 minutes), the port town of Pozzallo (1 hour 17 minutes) and the further Baroque towns of Scicli (1 hour 38 minutes) and Modica (1 hour 51 minutes).
The most convenient airport for Syracuse is Catania Airport which is 39 minutes away by car (60 km). Sicily's two other airports don't offer convenient alternatives; both Palermo Airport and Trapani Airport are more than 3 hours away from Syracuse.
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Public transport: Central train station, local buses
By car: Catania - 48 mins (65 km), Ragusa - 1 hour 23 mins (91 km) |
Fly to: Catania Airport - 48 minutes by car (65 km)
By train: Noto - 41 minutes, Catania - 1 hour 12 minutes |
