We are talking about one of the most beautiful places in Sicily. And Syracuse is an inevitable stop of any tour along the eastern coast of this beautiful island. Are you going to visit it and you are therefore wondering what to see on the small island of Ortigia?
Then, these ten places are simply unmissable.
- Aretusa source. It is located in the oldest part of Ortigia. This is an evocative water mirror made even more special by lush papyrus plants. It is also the place where the legend of Aretusa and Alfeo is set.
- Duomo of Syracuse. The main place of worship of Ortigia. The Cathedral of the Nativity of Blessed Virgin Mary (this is the full name) is located in the highest part of the city and its facade combines baroque and rococo style.
- Temple of Athena. It was erected in the 5th century BC, according to the will of the tyrant Gelone, following the victory over the Carthaginians, is a Doric-style building. Some of its columns are embedded within the walls of the Duomo.
- Church of St. Lucia at Badia. Located in Piazza Duomo, it is a small baroque church. Its vault is covered with frescoes, and behind the main altar there is the great carving of St. Lucia’s Burial of Caravaggio.
- Ipogeo of Piazza Duomo. From Piazza Duomo, as already mentioned in the highest point of the city, begins an underground route that reaches the walls of the Navy. This hypogeum path consists of a main gallery and several other secondary galleries.
- Maniace Castle. One of the most important castles in Sicily. Built in the first half of the 13th century, it is a white and imposing structure overlooking the blue sea at the end of the island of Ortigia.
- Temple of Apollo. It’s located in Piazza Pancali. Dating back to the beginning of the 6th century B.C., today its remains stand out in the middle of a garden that makes the entire landscape even more spectacular.
- National Palace Museum Bellomo. An ancient palace, whose construction dates back to the 13th-14th century, houses a precious collection of artifacts from medieval times of Siracusa and numerous paintings.
- Fountain of Diana. In Archimedes Square there is a monumental fountain by Giulio Moschetti, representing the goddess of hunting, an ancient protector of Siracusa.
- Promenade. Finally, you can not leave Ortigia without wandering on its waterfront, maybe going to drink or eat something in the numerous bars and restaurants.
Now, to complete the organization trip, there is only information: how to get to Ortigia from Catania or Ragusa.
Image source: Di fotovideomike from Italia (Michele Ponzio, @michele_ponzio) – Ortigia, Sicily, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=33262715
