Siracusa

Siracusa, commonly known in English as Syracuse, is a historic port city on the southeastern coast of Sicily, Italy. It sits on the Gulf of Syracuse in the Ionian Sea and includes Ortigia, a small island that forms the historic old town connected to the mainland by bridges.

Origins and ancient prominence: Founded in the 8th century BCE by Greek colonists from Corinth (with later connections to Tenea), Siracusa grew into one of Magna Graecia’s leading cities. It expanded under tyrants such as Dionysius the Elder, built powerful fortifications, and controlled large parts of eastern Sicily. The city became a center of learning and engineering, contributing to science and culture through figures like Archimedes. It endured Roman conquest and later Arab rule, remaining an influential cultural hub through successive eras.

Key sites: In Ortigia, the Cathedral of Syracuse stands on the site of a temple to Athena and houses works spanning multiple periods. Nearby are the Arethusa Fountain, a mythic spring that marks the island’s historic landscape, and Castello Maniace, a fortress guarding the tip of Ortigia. On the mainland, the Neapolis Archaeological Park contains the Greek Theatre of Syracuse, a Roman amphitheatre, and the Ear of Dionysius, a limestone cave renowned for its acoustics.

Modern era and economy: Today Siracusa has around 120,000 residents. Its economy relies on tourism, maritime activities, and services. The historic center on Ortigia remains a cultural and culinary hub, while the surrounding countryside supports citrus and olive production. The city hosts numerous festivals and cultural events that reflect its long, layered history.