Things to Do in Syracuse

The ornate 17th-century facade of Syracuse’s Duomo is typical of many Sicilian baroque churches, but belies the unusual interior of this former Greek temple. Built in the fifth century BC and dedicated to the goddess Athena, the building was converted into a Christian church over a millennium later.

 

The Syracuse Cathedral (Duomo) is one of many ancient Greek and Roman remains that dot this UNESCO-listed city, though one of the few still in active use today. The temple’s original Doric columns—still visible from both inside and outside—were incorporated into the structure of the seventh-century Byzantine church, and Norman and baroque elements were added over the subsequent centuries, making today’s cathedral a remarkable mix of architectural styles. Inside, the baptismal font is a retrofitted Greek vase, decorated with a number of 13th-century bronze lions.

 

Syracuse Duomo is a highlight of any walking tour of the city’s historic center, and can easily be visited as part of a day trip from the nearby city of Taormina. Join a guided tour of that includes this unique church to fully appreciate its history and architecture.

 

 

The Syracuse Duomo is on the pedestrian-only Piazza Duomo in the city’s historic center of Ortigia and can only be reached on foot.

 

The duomo closes at from 12pm to 4pm, so time your visit for early morning or late afternoon to catch it open but without the crowds.

 

Syracuse Cathedral is home to a number of relics of Saint Lucy (Santa Lucia), patron saint of the city, including bone fragments and clothing. On the first Sunday in May and December 13, the cathedral’s 16th-century statue of Saint Lucy is the focal point of a religious procession through the city streets.

The city of Syracuse on the eastern coast of Sicily is partly located on an island called Ortygia, where much of the city’s history can be found. The island figures into Greek mythology as the place where the Greek goddess Leto gave birth to Artemis, and its name comes from the ancient Greek word for quail; Leto's sister is said to have turned into a quail and become the island when she fell into the sea.

 

There are two islands that connect the island with mainland Sicily, and most of the city of Syracuse is on the mainland. Among the sights in the historic city on Ortygia are its seventh-century cathedral and the Fountain of Arethuse.

Set in the hills of the Sicilian town of Syracuse is a large cave with the evocative name of the Ear of Dionysius. The name does not, however, refer to the Greek god. The name, Orecchio di Dionisio in Italian, was given to the cave by 16th-century painter Caravaggio, who named it after a vicious fifth-century BCE ruler of Syracuse. He is said to have used the cave as a political prison, and the cave's incredible acoustics gave him the ability to eavesdrop on his enemies. Another legend says he once used the cave as a torture chamber.

 

While the legends are unlikely to be true, the name stuck. The primary acoustic position in the cave is no longer accessible to visitors due to safety concerns, but the cavern is still an impressive sight.

The Neapolis Archaeological Park is home to many of Syracuse’s most important Greek and Roman ruins, including the Greek Theater dating from the fifth century BC, a third-century-BC sacrificial altar, second-century Roman amphitheater, and a limestone quarry that provided stone for the ancient city.

 

A must for archaeology buffs, the Parco Archeologico della Neapolis is a UNESCO World Heritage Site just outside the city of Syracuse, and visitors can tour its Teatro Greco that once held 16,000 spectators for the staging of the final tragedies of Aeschylus; Teatro Romano that hosted gladiatorial combats and horse races; monolithic Ara di Gerone II altar dedicated to Heron II, where 450 oxen could be sacrificed at one time; and the sprawling Latomia del Paradiso quarry complex.

 

Because its size and history spanning centuries, it's best to explore the Neapolis Archaeological Park with a guide. Join a walking tour of the archaeological park from Syracuse, or from the Sicilian cities of Taormina or Catania. You can also combine a visit to the park with day trips to the nearby towns of Ortigia and Noto.

 

 

The Neapolis Archaeological Park is located just outside Syracuse, an easy walk from the historic center or the train station.

 

The open-air park can get uncomfortably hot under the Sicilian sun in the summer, so plan to visit first thing in the morning or in the late afternoon. The Teatro Greco is often used during the summer months for classical plays; the park closes earlier than usual on performance days.

 

Part of the park’s ancient limestone quarry, the Ear of Dionysius cave boasts acoustics so precise that it is said that the tyrant Dionysius kept his enemies imprisoned inside so he could more easily eavesdrop on them.

Syracuse’s Greek Theater (Teatro Greco) was one of the largest in the world when it was constructed, able to seat up the 16,000 spectators. Hewn directly from the side of the Temenite Hill overlooking the Sicilian countryside, the stone theater is a highlight of the UNESCO-listed Neapolis Archaeological Park.

 

Originally dating from the fifth century BC, the Greek Theater was rebuilt several times, including during the Roman era. The original theater had 67 rows for audience members, though subsequent modifications over the centuries decreased the theater’s size somewhat. The site was excavated in the 19th century, and has been used for summer musical and theatrical performances for the past 100 years. A must for ancient history buffs, the Greek Theater is part of the Parco Archeologico della Neapolis complex just outside the city of Syracuse, along with a third-century-BC sacrificial altar, second-century Roman amphitheater, and ancient limestone quarry.

 

Because of its archaeological importance and history spanning centuries, it's best to visit the Green Theater with a guide as part of a Neapolis Archaeological Park walking tour from Syracuse, Taormina, or Catania. You can also combine a tour of the park with day trips to the nearby towns of Ortigia and Noto.

 

 

The Neapolis Archaeological Park is located just outside the center of Syracuse, an easy walk from the town or train station.

 

The open-air theater can get uncomfortably hot under the Sicilian sun in the summer, so plan to visit first thing in the morning or in the late afternoon. The Teatro Greco may close earlier than usual on days when performances are scheduled.

 

In addition to the Teatro Greco, visitors to Neapolis can tour the Teatro Romano that once hosted gladiatorial combats and horse races, the Ara di Gerone II monolithic altar dedicated to Heron II, and the labyrinthine Latomia del Paradiso quarry complex.