Syracuse — Once More Powerful Than Athens

Syracuse (Siracusa) was in the 5th century BC the most powerful and richest city in the entire Greek world — larger than Athens, culturally more brilliant than Sparta, and economically dominant in the western Mediterranean. Here lived Archimedes (the most famous scientist of antiquity), here Syracuse defeated the Athenian fleet in the greatest naval battle of Greek history (413 BC), and here the Christianization of Europe began (Paul preached here on his way to Rome).

The historic center is located on Ortigia — a tiny island (1 km²), connected to the mainland by two bridges, forming one of the most atmospheric old town districts in all of Italy. Baroque palaces, Greek temple remnants, Norman churches, and lively piazzas overlap in a small space. The Cathedral (Duomo) is a unique structure: The Baroque facade conceals the Temple of Athena (5th century BC) — the Doric columns of the ancient temple are integrated into the church walls and visible from the inside. Greek, Christian, and Baroque in one building.

The Fonte Aretusa on the shore of Ortigia is a freshwater spring directly by the sea, where papyrus grows — a botanical wonder and the setting of the Greek myth of the nymph Arethusa. The Mercato di Ortigia (in the morning) is one of the liveliest markets in Sicily: swordfish, seafood, cheese, olives, spices, and freshly squeezed orange juices.

On the mainland lies the Archaeological Park Neapolis: The Greek Theater (5th century BC, carved into the rock, 15,000 seats — still used for ancient dramas in summer), the Ear of Dionysius (a 23-meter-high, drop-shaped cave with astonishing acoustics — Caravaggio gave it the name), and the Roman Amphitheater (one of the largest in the Roman world). The Museo Archeologico Regionale Paolo Orsi houses one of the most important archaeological collections in the Mediterranean.