Holiday apartment in Syracuse: Ancient history, Ortigia and Plemmirio

Syracuse combines ancient urban history with an island, archaeological sites, wetlands and protected marine areas. Ortigia, the historic centre of ancient Syracuse, is at its heart. The island has been inhabited for around 3,000 years and is connected to the rest of Siracusa by two bridges: Ponte Umbertino and Ponte Santa Lucia. Siracusa railway station is about 1.5 kilometres from the centre of Ortigia.

Culture

The archaeological area of Neapolis occupies the northern part of the Neapolis district, one of the five districts that made up Siracusa in Greek and Roman times. The site includes the Ara of Hieron II, a monumental altar for the city's public sacrifices. The Latomies, with the Grotta dei Cordari and the Orecchio di Dionisio, are also located in Neapolis. The Orecchio di Dionisio is known for acoustic phenomena such as amplification and echo. The area also contains the so-called Tomb of Archimedes, a Roman-era burial chamber carved into the rock face.

The Greek theatre of Neapolis is completely carved into the rocks of Temenite Hill. During the theatre seasons, it is still used today as a venue for performances, tragedies and classical productions. The archaeological area also includes a Roman amphitheatre, whose dating is disputed and which is attributed partly to Augustus and partly to Septimius Severus.

Palazzo Bellomo adds further historical highlights with its collections of medieval and modern art; at the same time, it is an important building of Swabian origin. Columns from the Temple of Athena have been preserved on the northern side of the Cathedral of Siracusa. Castello Maniace stands at the tip of Ortigia and was built by Frederick II between 1232 and 1240 on an older fortress. Another theatrical tradition is brought back to life at the Teatro dei Pupi in Siracusa: the old yet contemporary theatrical form of the Opra dei pupi.

Nature

The Fiume Ciane e Saline di Siracusa nature reserve protects and revitalises the papyrus along the River Ciane and preserves the environmental value of the wetlands of the Saline di Siracusa. The protected area along the River Ciane features species-rich riparian vegetation, including species that are rare in Sicily, as well as wildlife associated with river and wetland habitats. The Fonte Aretusa is a freshwater spring that forms a small semicircular pond with fish, geese and ducks.

The Plemmirio marine protected area is designated as a Specially Protected Area of Mediterranean Importance, ASPIM. It includes the special protection area ITA090030 Fondali del Plemmirio. The Plemmirio marine protected area has underwater trails with ten access points to the seabed. In areas of the seabed with abrupt slopes, there are numerous underwater caves containing corals, sponges, bryozoans, slipper lobsters, nudibranchs and numerous fish species.

Capo Murro di Porco offers opportunities to observe large pelagic fish and marine mammals, including tuna, amberjacks, sharks, dolphins, whales and sperm whales. Gli Archi is a wall dive suitable for all divers, as it presents no particular difficulties.

Getting around

A simple two-day circular walk in Siracusa, following in the footsteps of the Greeks, is described with five stops. In the immediate regional surroundings of Siracusa lies Pantalica, a rocky landscape with more than 5,000 tombs carved into the rock. Castello Eurialo is located at the highest point of the Epipoli plateau in the Belvedere district of Siracusa, about 8 kilometres from the city centre, and offers extensive views over the city.

Market and food

The Ortigia market offers vegetables, meat, dairy products, pulses, fish and seafood; the so-called “Vanniate” can be heard alongside them. A wine route through the area includes a visit to Ortigia, the Baroque churches and the market, followed by a wine tasting at a local winery.

Other places: Avola, Brucoli, Fanusa, Floridia, Syracuse, Francofonte, Lentini, Lido Di Noto, Marzamemi, Noto, Portopalo Di Capo Passero, Sortino, Terrauzza, Solarino, San Corrado Di Fuori, Cassibile, Carlentini, Ognina, Arenella, Pachino, Palazzolo Acreide, Augusta, Agnone, Canicattini Bagni, Villasmundo, Rosolini, Villa Vela, San Lorenzo, Plemmirio, Fontane Bianche, Carrozziere, Testa Dell'acqua, Buccheri, Belvedere, Melilli, Ferla, Isab - Erg, Granelli, Calabernardo, Priolo Gargallo, Città Giardino, Villa Bibbia.

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