Siracusa is a city in southeastern Sicily with Ortigia as its historic island heart, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Ortigia is located in Siracusa, although a little separated from the rest of the town because, when looking at a map, you can notice that one of the peculiarities of the historic center of Siracusa is that it is a small island, very close to the mainland –so close that it can be reached via bridges connecting it to the main-city–.
Visit Siracusa and Ortigia, the jewel of Sicily!
Ortigia is a small island that forms the historical heart of Siracusa, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its ancient Greek origins, charming Baroque architecture, and vibrant cultural life.
People can explore sites like the Temple of Apollo and the Cathedral of Siracusa –built into the Temple of Athena–, enjoy strolls through narrow alleyways, visit the Fountain of Arethusa, and experience local cuisine and markets
Umbertino Bridge –one of the bridge who connect Siracusa with Ortigia island– is made of stone and rests on an artificial island which is the only remaining vestiges of the Spanish bastion that had stood there before to defend the island of Ortigia.
Large white stone pillars form the arches; at the top stand neoclassical balustrades interspersed with wrought iron lampposts.
The Siracusa Cathedral –Dome– on the island of Ortigia is a historic landmark, originally a 5th-century BCE Greek Doric temple dedicated to Athena, later converted into a church and then a mosque before being restored as a church by the Normans.
Its 18th-century facade is a prime example of Sicilian Baroque architecture, while its interior incorporates ancient Doric columns into the walls and features Norman mosaics and a Baroque ciborium by Luigi Vanvitelli.
The cathedral’s history reflects the layered civilizations of Sicily, transitioning from a pagan temple to a Christian church, a mosque, and back to a church again.
The Fonte Aretusa is a natural freshwater spring on Ortigia island known for its connection to a Greek myth and its abundance of papyrus plants, a rarity in Europe.
According to legend, the nymph Arethusa, a follower of Artemis, transformed into the spring to escape the river god Alpheus, who pursued her from Greece.
The fountain is a beautiful site with ducks and fish, and it has been a significant landmark for poets and writers for centuries.
The Ortigia Market in Siracusa is a lively, traditional street market in Sicily offering a vibrant array of fresh seafood, seasonal produce, local cheeses, cured meats, spices, and Sicilian street food, with stalls lining Via De Benedictis.
Open daily from morning to early afternoon –around 2 PM–, except Sundays
It is a popular spot for both locals and tourists, known for its authentic atmosphere, the sensory experience of fresh ingredients, and opportunities to find unique Sicilian products like Bronte pistachios or Pachino tomatoes
The Siracusa Mikwah –Jewish ritual bath– is a significant historical site, potentially the oldest and largest in Europe, dating to the 6th century.
It was rediscovered in the 1980s when renovations of the Hotel alla Giudecca revealed the long-hidden entrance to the mikwah, which was intentionally concealed after the Jewish expulsion in 1492.
Visitors can explore the ancient limestone-carved chambers and pools with guided tours, gaining insight into Jewish history in Siracusa and the ritual significance of the baths.
The Jewish quarter, or La Giudecca, in Siracusa’s Ortigia island is an ancient area of narrow, winding alleys and characteristic buildings that was home to one of Sicily’s largest Jewish communities until their expulsion in 1492.
While the community is gone, the area’s Jewish heritage is visible in features like the Casa Bianca Mikveh –ritual bath– and the Giudecca Palace, a historic building with unique architectural elements.
Castello Maniace is a historic medieval castle on the island of Ortigia in Siracusa, built by Emperor Frederick II between 1232 and 1240 and named after the Byzantine general George Maniakes, who captured the city in 1038.
This well-preserved example of Swabian military architecture features a square plan with four cylindrical corner towers and an impressive ogival entrance.
Once a military fortress and residence for queens, it is now a tourist attraction offering panoramic views of the port and coast.
The Siracusa Archaeological Park, located in the Neapolis district, houses important Greek and Roman monuments, including the Greek Theatre, Altar of Hieron II, and Roman Amphitheatre.
Visitors can also explore the Latomia of Paradise, an ancient stone quarry featuring the “Ear of Dionysius”.
The Catacombs of San Giovanni in Siracusa are an extensive underground Christian burial complex located beneath the Church of San Giovanni Evangelista, featuring a main gallery –decumanus maximus– that was once a Greek aqueduct, with side tunnels –cardines– leading to circular rooms used as tombs and former water cisterns.
Visitors can explore the catacombs, the crypt of San Marciano (Syracuse’s first bishop), and the ruins of the roofless basilica on guided tours, which are offered year-round except for brief closures in January and February.
