Top Sights and Must-Visit Attractions in Syracuse and Ortigia, Sicily august 13, 2024 – Posted in: Italy, Travel – Tags: , , , , , , , , ,

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Tourist Attractions in Siracusa

What sights in Siracusa and Ortigia should you not miss? Siracusa was the first Greek settlement and also the birthplace of Archimedes, the Greek mathematician and philosopher. A must for a holiday in Siracusa is therefore a visit to the archaeological park, where you can also see Archimedes’ tomb. As soon as you cross one of the two bridges that lead from Siracusa to the old town on the Ortigia peninsula, the beautiful Apollo Temple shows that the city was once a Greek colony.

The city, also known as Syracuse in English and Sarausa in Sicilian, has later been under the rule of many different peoples: Moors, Normans, and Romans, to name just a few. Siracusa was also the birthplace of Saint Lucy, yes, the one we celebrate on December 13th. Click on the link by her name to read the fascinating story.

See more travel tips for Siracusa and Ortigia – click here!

Sights in Siracusa

As mentioned, Siracusa was the first major city founded by the Greeks in 734 BC. The enormous quarry in the archaeological park also testifies to massive construction activity. The park is just one of the many things you must see when you are in the city, and here is a short list of sights in Siracusa:

Neapolis Archaeological Park

The archaeological park is a great experience. Even though we came directly from the even larger temple parks in Selinunte and Agrigento, there were still plenty of new and exciting experiences to be had in Parco Archeologico di Siracusa. The most interesting for both children and adults is the ancient quarry with Dionysius’ Ear. The latter is a huge cave where you can hear even the faintest whisper.

The average visit time in the park is an hour and a half, but it took us three hours to walk up past Archimedes’ tomb, down through the quarries and dripstone caves, and past both the Greek and Roman theaters. It is a good walk, and much of it is not suitable for those with mobility issues, as there are many stairs.

The trip from Ortigia to the park itself is two kilometers long and takes half an hour. When you reach the top of the hill on Via Francesco Saverio Cavallari, you will pass all the souvenir shops on the right-hand side. Instead, turn left at the small church. Here you can buy tickets, €18 in 2022. It is possible to buy food and drinks at the entrance, but inside the park itself, there is not much available, so bring plenty of water. Please read this guide before your visit: Neapolis Archaeological Park.

Museo Archeologico Regionale Paolo Orsi

On the way back from the city, you’ll find the large archaeological museum Museo Archeologico Regionale Paolo Orsi. The museum is probably the largest on the entire island of Sicily. If you find Greek and Sicilian history fascinating, you can easily spend countless hours exploring the extensive collection.

With its many exhibits, the museum provides a great introduction to the early culture on Sicily’s east coast, from the Stone Age up to and including the Greek colonization of the island. Even if you’re not a history buff like us, a visit to the museum can still be exciting. You don’t need to read all the detailed information, but simply walk through the many halls and enjoy the beauty of the ancient artifacts.

The Cathedral

Back in Ortigia, you can seek shelter from the blazing sun in Duomo di Siracusa, the cathedral on the large square. Before you go inside, take a moment to look at the northern wall, where the Greek columns from the ancient temple have been integrated into the cathedral. Inside the church, you will also find traces of the Moors and Normans.

When you purchase a ticket to the cathedral, you can also buy a ticket to Secreta Palatii, located right next door. Most of the exhibition consists of church artifacts, but the tour ends in the most beautiful old library.

Sunset at Fonte Aretusa

The beautiful sunset can be enjoyed at one of the many bars on the west side of Ortigia or from The Fountain of Arethusa. The round basin is fed by an underground spring, and papyrus grows along the edges. According to legend, Arethusa fled from the river god Alpheus, who had fallen in love with her. Diana, the Roman goddess of the hunt, came to her aid and transformed her into the beautiful basin, which remains one of the city’s major tourist attractions.

Castel Maniace

At the very tip of Ortigia lies the fortress Castello Maniace. The fortress, which is also a castle, was built between 1232 and 1240 by King Frederick II. Originally, the only way to enter the castle was via a bridge spanning a moat, which has now been filled in. Before you go inside, take a moment to admire the decorated marble gate.

The Jewish Mikveh

One of the most remarkable experiences in Siracusa was the Jewish mikveh. We stayed at Hotel Alla Giudecca, and deep in the basement beneath the hotel, you can see the ancient ritual baths. Giudecca means “the Jewish quarter” in Italian, and it was in these streets that the Jewish ghetto was located until 1493.

When King Ferdinand decided to expel all Jews from the country, half of Siracusa’s Jewish population fled. Before they left, the entrance to the mikveh was sealed, awaiting the day when Jews could return. No one knew the mikveh was there until the building got new owners in 1988. They were puzzled by a bricked arch in the wall that seemingly had no door beneath it – until they broke through the wall and discovered the staircase leading down to the ritual Jewish baths.

It costs €5 to go down into the basement and see the baths, even if you’re staying at the hotel. The English-speaking guide gives a 15-minute lecture, and there’s an opportunity to ask questions.

Hiking at the Temple of Zeus

If you’re looking to hike a bit outside the city, the Temple of Zeus is a great destination. There’s not much to see out there besides the remains of the foundation and two large columns. However, the surrounding landscape is truly beautiful and perfect for a hike.

Remember to check if it’s open before you leave. We didn’t, and as a result, we found ourselves in front of a locked gate. It was a blessing in disguise because when we continued along Via Tempio di Giove, we found ourselves on the most beautiful walk. We crossed the railway and then turned right. Here we were greeted by a sight not mentioned in any tourist guides: an old Roman road!

Our hotel in Ortigia, Syracuse - Alla Giudecca

Our hotel in Ortigia, Syracuse – Alla Giudecca. Click the image to read more.

Find a Great Hotel in Siracusa

For a truly romantic getaway, like the one we were on, you should definitely stay in the historic center on the Ortigia peninsula, where there are plenty of small, charming hotels. We stayed at the super-romantic Hotel Alla Giudecca in the old Jewish quarter.

In the old 15th-century buildings, you’ll find a charming hotel, beautifully decorated with slightly old-fashioned rooms arranged around an atrium courtyard. It’s not hard to imagine how the medieval building originally looked, as the walls on the ground floor are exposed down to the large limestone blocks, and just below the large arches, you can see the exposed beams.

We were upgraded to a double room with access to our own rooftop terrace, meaning that besides our own bedroom with wrought iron canopy beds (as you can see in the picture), we also had an extra bedroom. From the room, we also had a view of the Greek well located at the entrance to the Jewish mikveh.

Breakfast was served in the medieval dining hall, offering a bit of everything, including some warm dishes. We could have also cooked for ourselves in the small kitchenette in our hotel room, but the hotel is located in the heart of Ortigia and so close to many excellent restaurants that we never even used a spoon.

Read more about the hotel here: Hotel Alla Giudecca

If you find the hotel prices in Ortigia completely unreasonable, you can easily stay on the other side of the two small bridges in Siracusa itself and walk over to Ortigia. You can see the hotels in Ortigia and Siracusa by clicking here – or search for beautiful hotels in Sicily on your own:



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