Syracuse

Syracuse was founded in 734 BC by Greek settlers from Corinth. According to Cicero, it became "the greatest Greek city and the most beautiful of them all”. Syracuse houses many tourist attractions, here a list of the most important.

Archeological Park Neapolis comprises the Altar of Hieron , the Roman Amphitheater, the Ear of Dionysius, the “Latomie” ( ancient stone caves) and above all, the Greek Theatre, which is the seat of the amazing “Rappresentazioni Classiche”, ancient Greek tragedies, yearly performed at sunset from May to July.

“Museo Archeologico Regionale Paolo Orsi” contains many artifacts from Greek and Roman periods found in archaeological excavations.

Ortygia is the historic center of Syracuse. It consists of a small island connected tomainland by three bridges. It deserves a walk from the “Lungomare”, with The Fountain of Arethusa and Temple of Apollo, the oldest temple all over Sicily, until Duomo Square, one of the most beautiful squares in Italy, with its baroque Cathedral and“ Chiesa di Santa Lucia alla Badia” that contains the “Burial of Saint Lucy”, masterpiece by Caravaggio, realized during the painter's stay in Syracuse.

Not far away from Syracuse, the Necropolis of Pantalica surely deserves a visit. It is a very interesting archaeological site and an important natural reserve too.

In the end, the area is full with many beautiful beaches including the “Vendicari Oasis”, that is one of the most important humid zones in Europe, inhabited by a great variety of animal species like storks, flamingos, mallards, cormorants. The area is equipped with bird watching huts.