Syracuse: Island History, Ancient Sites and Nature

Ortigia is the historic centre of ancient Syracuse and an island that has been inhabited for around 3,000 years. You can discover the city’s history here as well as at the archaeological sites of Neapolis; the sea and wetlands add a very different dimension. You can shape your time in Syracuse around the themes that interest you most.

Ortigia: Island History and Everyday Life

Two bridges connect Ortigia to the rest of Syracuse: Ponte Umbertino and Ponte Santa Lucia. The island is home to the Fonte Aretusa, a freshwater spring that forms a small semicircular pond. Fish, geese and ducks live in it. Columns from the Temple of Athena remain on the north side of the cathedral—a visible reminder of the site’s earlier history.

Castello Maniace stands at the tip of Ortigia. Frederick II had the castle built between 1232 and 1240 on the site of an older fortress. Palazzo Bellomo offers another way to explore art history: the building, which has Swabian origins, houses collections of medieval and modern art. For a glimpse of everyday goods, visit Ortigia’s market. It sells vegetables, meat, dairy products, legumes, fish and seafood; the vendors’ calls are known as “Vanniate”.

Neapolis: Theatre, Rock and Ancient Structures

The Neapolis archaeological area occupies the northern part of the district of the same name. Neapolis was one of the five districts that made up Syracuse in Greek and Roman times. Among its most distinctive structures is the Greek Theatre, carved entirely into the rock of Temenite Hill. It continues to host performances, tragedies and classical productions during the theatre seasons.

The Altar of Hieron II is also part of the site: a monumental altar intended for public sacrifices by the city. The Latomies contain the Grotta dei Cordari and the Orecchio di Dionisio. The latter is known for acoustic effects such as amplification and echo. The so-called Tomb of Archimedes is a Roman-era burial chamber carved into the rock face.

The Roman Amphitheatre adds to the picture, although its dating is disputed: it is attributed either to Augustus or to Septimius Severus. Ancient architecture can also be found elsewhere in Syracuse. The oldest stone Doric temple in Sicily is located here. The individual sites reveal different facets of the city’s history—from religious buildings and public spaces to rooms carved into the rock.

Art and Theatre Beyond Antiquity

Syracuse also offers points of interest for visitors drawn to later forms of art and theatre. At the Teatro dei Pupi, the old yet still contemporary theatrical tradition of Opra dei pupi comes to life again. Together with the medieval and modern art collections at Palazzo Bellomo, it broadens the picture beyond Greek and Roman heritage.

Wetlands and Marine Protected Area

The Fiume Ciane e Saline di Siracusa Nature Reserve protects and revitalises the papyrus along the River Ciane and preserves the environmental values of the Saline di Siracusa wetlands. The banks support rich vegetation, including species that are rare in Sicily. The wildlife is associated with river and wetland habitats. This landscape therefore offers a different nature experience from the Plemmirio Marine Protected Area.

Plemmirio is designated as a Particularly Sensitive Sea Area of Mediterranean Importance (ASPIM) and includes the Special Protection Area ITA090030 Fondali del Plemmirio. The marine protected area has underwater trails with ten access points to the seabed. The Gli Archi wall dive is considered suitable for all divers and presents no particular difficulties. At Capo Murro di Porco, there are opportunities to observe large pelagic fish and marine mammals, including tuna, amberjacks, sharks, dolphins, whales and sperm whales.

Planning Your Stay

If you are arriving by train, you can use Siracusa railway station as a reference point: it is about 1.5 kilometres from the centre of Ortigia. An easy two-day walking route following in the footsteps of the Greeks covers five stops. For another perspective on the city, Castello Eurialo is in the Belvedere district, at the highest point of the Epipoli plateau. It is about eight kilometres from the city centre and offers far-reaching views over the city.

There is also a remarkable historical contrast in the surrounding region: Pantalica is a rocky landscape with more than 5,000 tombs carved into the rock. If you are looking for a hotel in Syracuse, you can start by deciding whether Ortigia’s island history, the archaeological sites, or nature and the sea should shape your stay.

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

For the regional travel overview: Sicily.