Day 1 in Sicily Island - Syracuse and Ortygia Island
Welcome to Sicily Island - Syracuse
(Siracusa in Italian)! Upon arrival, you
will go through customs and immigration.
Should you opt to purchase a transfer to your hotel; a representative
will be waiting for you as you exit immigration. Arrive at your hotel, check in and do not
give in to jet lag! There is so much for
you to see and do.
Spend the
afternoon getting acquainted with the historical center of Syracuse located on the island of Ortygia. As you wander
through the charming area, take in the beautiful baroque architecture as well
as the city`s 13th century Castello Maniace. Created in 1232, visitors can walk
through the castle grounds, explore the battlements and look out into the bay
and the Ionian Sea. Other popular stops include the Bottari, Mastruarua, Spirduta, Maestranza and Turba districts, as well as
the Piazza del Duomo
and the Fontana Aretusa.
Stop at
the Piazza del Duomo,
one of the central squares in Ortygia and enjoy the beautiful Cathedral of Syracuse, a
fantastic structure which dates back to the 5th century BC, the
cathedral was actually built around the ancient Temple of Athena. The
ancient Greek Doric columns of the temple can still be seen inside the
Cathedral. This is one of the very few surviving examples in Sicily where a
temple was converted into a church.
At the far end of the Piazza Duomo is the
less impressive and unassuming Church
of Saint Lucia, the patron saint of Syracuse. Saint Lucia was
martyred near this site in 304 and a feast in her name is celebrated yearly on
December 13th. The Church of Saint Lucia houses one of Caravaggio`s most famous
paintings, appropriately titled, the Burial of Saint Lucy.
As the evening approaches, head to the seafront on the
island of Ortygia which is full of restaurants and bars where people quench
their thirst or sit and relax. In the evening, the area is bustling with
people out for a drink or a meal. It has a great atmosphere and a beautiful
backdrop with the lights reflecting on the water.
There are many night clubs
along the coastline on the Alfeo
Promenade. Some have dance floors on the beach so that you can
dance under the moonlight.
Day 2 in Sicily Island - Syracuse and Ortygia Island
Wake
up early and start your day with a visit to the lively outdoor street
market on Via de Benedictis. Be sure to try a Sicilian specialty,
such as snails or pistachios, and chat to the colorful vendors, who are happy
to show you their wares. Your senses will be on overload as you inhale the aromas, marvel
at the beautiful colors and sights of everything you see.
Visit the Greek Theatre located at the Archaeological Park in the
western part of Syracuse; it is undoubtedly one of the main attractions of the
region. Created in 470 BC, this ancient amphitheatre played host to some
legendary play writes such as Aischylos and Sophocles, and has a diameter of
452 ft. Today, much of the originally semi-circular seating survives in excellent
condition, although it is sometimes covered with wood to preserve its quality.
Another highlight within the
Archaeological Park is the impressive Roman
Amphitheatre. This structure remains in a remarkable condition
despite its old age. Constructed in the 3rd century, this Amphitheatre was
partly made from the actual rock with a large arched entrance at either end.
You can still see much of the seating on both sides, and you can also see the
remains of the underground passages and rooms that would have been used by the
gladiators who fought here. Although some of the structure is now overgrown, it
still looks absolutely fantastic and the moss and greenery give it character.
Next, spend some time at Latomia del Paradiso (quarries). Syracuse
has several different quarries which have been worked since the 6th
century and mined for stone. This stone has been used extensively in the
construction of many of the city`s landmarks and homes. Within this quarry is
an impressive 196 ft long and 36 ft high gallery, this cave is truly beautiful
and quiet surreal. Surrounded by beautiful woodland, the quarry is quite hidden
and without looking, you would not know it’s there. This Latomia is also known
as the Ear of Dionysius, legend has it, that if you stand at
one end of the cave, you can hear whispered conversations from the other
end.
Another quarry worth visiting is the Latomia dei Cappuccini. This
immense quarry can still be entered today. Once an underground cavern, the quarry
has now collapsed and is open to the elements. Throughout the area you can see massive
irregular columns that sprout out of the ground at strange angles. In addition,
much of the quarry is now covered in a beautiful garden that has been
maintained by the Capuchin Monks, who are neighbors to the quarry.
Make some
time to spend at the Syracuse Museo Archeologico. The Archaeological Museum is located on
the Via Teocrito and offers a great collection of relics and artifacts
collected from the surrounding area. Exhibits
follow a chronological order and include 6th century pottery, bronze
tomb reliefs, ancient weaponry and tools, and terracotta earthenware. This
museum provides a fascinating look at how Syracuse has developed over the
years.
If time allows, pay a visit to the fascinating Temple of Apollo located on the Island of
Ortygia. This temple dates back to 570 BC and excavated 1938 - 1943, and is
actually the oldest in Sicily. It has had various uses throughout the years
such as a Byzantine church, an Islamic mosque, a Norman church, and Spanish
barracks, reflecting Sicily`s various ruling groups. Today, visitors can see
the rectangular foundation of the structure, much of the walls, and some of the
ornate columns. You can`t walk inside the temple ruins, but they are clearly visible
from the fence that surrounds them.
Spend your
evening in the delightful Piazza
di Archimede, this square is one of the main gathering areas on
the Island and has several notable features. Highlighted in the center of the
square is the beautiful Fontana di Artemide. This fountain
depicts various ancient scenes and is also surrounded by some small palm trees.
The square is a great place to explore and offers several cafes and
restaurants.
After a
busy day of sightseeing head back to your hotel and a restful night sleep.
Day 3 in Sicily Island - Syracuse and Ortygia Island
Spend the day today soaking up the
stunning natural landscape by cycling the Rossana Maiorca cycle path. The path was opened in 2008 replacing the ancient railway line that
connected the Targia station to Syracuse . It measures about 4.5 miles and connects one of
the most beautiful and scenic parts of the city. The stretch offers several
places of archaeological, historical and naturalistic interest. The actual track starts from the
former passage at Santa Lucia level (on the sidewalk), and then enters the dirt
road up to the Targia near the former Mattatoio. Along
the route you will be nearby the Monument
to the Italian Fallen of Africa from which the dirt track begins.
There are various side accesses to explore the rocky cast with the Carabiniere rock and the Due Fratelli rock. The track
still features the abandoned building of the former Santa Panagia station; the
small gorge where the Greeks had built the port of Trogilo; the Byzantine oratory of Santa Panagia;
and the tonnara of Santa
Panagia.
Alternatively, visit the coastal
town of Fontane Bianche located down the
coast from the small town of Arenella. This is a
beautiful coastal resort town and a perfect place to escape from the city and
enjoy the beach. Fontane Bianche is a horseshoe shaped beach that offers golden
sand and crystal clear turquoise waters. Beach bars and cafes line the beach
where you can enjoy a relaxing meal.
Additional Days in Sicily Island - Syracuse and Ortygia Island
Should you be able to spend additional
days in Syracuse we recommend you visit the Riserva Naturale Orientata Pantalica (Rocky
Necropolis of Pantalica). This large area offers over 5,000 tombs
cut into the rock near open stone quarries, most of them dating from the 13th
to 7th centuries BC. The park is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Alternatively, take a boat tour around the island
of Ortygia, through the various
caves and grottos. The tours leave frequently during the peak
season. Or, take a boat ride in and around Syracuse along the River Cyane, 3 miles west of
the city along Via Elorina. From May to September, a boat trip can take you to
the source of this river. Along the way you`ll see clusters of papyrus plants.
The boat also goes by the meager ruins of Olympeion, a temple erected at the
end of the 6th century.
Your Last Day In Sicily Island - Syracuse and Ortygia Island
Depart your hotel for the airport for your return home. We recommend that you purchase a private transfer, if so a representative will meet you at the hotel, in time to take you to the airport for your flight out.