Sicily Tourist Guide

Siracusa Tourist Attractions Part 2: Ortigia

Once you've seen Siracusa's fine archaeological sights, the most pleasant place to spend the rest of your stay is the island of Ortigia, Siracusa's heart for thousands of years.

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The island of Ortigia is the historical heart of the town. There are fewer archaeological sites exposed to view here (the island has been heavily built-up ever since the time of the Greeks), but this is the part of Siracusa you're likely to be wandering around after you've 'done' the mainland points of interest.

The island is a pleasant place to wander, and much of its charm lies in wandering down the narrow medieval lanes, past romantically-crumbling Baroque and medieval palaces and churches. A walk around the perimeter of the island is a good way to begin to get your bearings. With a map and a guidebook you can locate individual buildings of note, such as Palazzo Montalto (under restoration), but it's just as much fun exploring for yourself and discovering your own favourite places: abandoned palazzi where weeds and bushes swarm over the dilapidated balconies, corners where you catch glimpses of sky through once-grand windows, carefully-tended cactus plants, seafront churches, picturesque alleys and so on.

The island is joined to the mainland by three bridges (one of which is a recent and controversial addition). The central bridge, Ponte Umbertino, continues the line of the wide Corso Umberto, one of Siracusa's major thoroughfares. As you cross on the island, turning left will take you towards the headquarters of the two bus companies serving the area. Opposite the bridge are the majestic ruins of the Greek Temple of Apollo. Veering right up Corso Matteotti you'll pass a range of clothes and shoe shops, before arriving in Piazza Archimede, at the centre of Ortigia. Rather blighted by the stream of cars cruising around its central fountain, the piazza is nevertheless a fairly attractive focal point, and a good place to start your explorations of the island.

To head straight to Ortigia's most attractive piazza, turn right and head for Via Cavour (which continues as Via Landolina), a narrow thoroughfare lined with restaurants and souvenir shops. A minute's walk to the left lies Piazza Duomo, an elliptical open space lined with harmonious and impressive buildings - and also a good place to sit and enjoy refreshments at an outdoors cafe table.

For trendy bars and a pleasant stroll during the traditional evening passeggiata, head towards the thirteenth-century Castello Maniace. The fortress at the island's tip is still a military establishment and closed to the public, but the seafront from here back up the western shore of the island, past the Fonte Aretusa, is lined with cafes, bars and restaurants, and thronged with locals out for their sociable promenade.

Duomo

Siracusa's Duomo is one of the town's most celebrated sights. The building records the many ages of the town. Once it was the Greek Temple of Athena, and the massive Doric columns of the temple are still visible; rather wonky after earthquake damage. The wall above the columns along Via Minerva, with battlements, is Norman in origin, while the fancy Baroque facade was a replacement after the 1693 earthquake. Inside the Duomo, you can see more evidence of the temple origins of the building, and more of the original structure. Those interested in relics can admire some fetching displays of saints' bones in the chapel to the right of the main altar, where there are also some appealing fragments of fresco. A small room by the exit is a shrine to St. Lucia, the patron saint of Siracusa, and contains offerings to the saint, as well as the usual relics. Over the years Syracusans have presented a range of precious items and jewellery, many decorated with the saint's 'eyes' motif.

Fonte Aretusa

Occupying an important position in the hearts of Syracusans, the Fonte Aretusa (on the western shore) is a freshwater spring whose history goes back to the earliest Greek colonists. According to mythology, the spring is an embodiment of the nymph Arethusa. Surrounded by high stone walls, planted with papyrus and inhabited by ducks, the spring is an important spot on the Ortigia passeggiata. Next door there is also a small aquarium that offers a burst of air-conditioned coolness in the summer.

Galleria Regionale di Palazzo Bellomo

Included on a joint ticket with the mainland archaeological sights, the Regional Museum is located in the attractive Palazzo Bellomo (Via Capodieci) and houses art dating from medieval times onwards.

Day Trips from Siracusa

Around Siracusa there are plenty of options for day trips. One of the best options is a day trip to the Baroque town of Noto, which is less than an hour away by bus. Two companies, AST and Interbus, run services from Siracusa. Both start on Ortigia near Riva della Posta, and both stop at the Foro Siracusano, where the news-stand sells tickets and can advise on timetables. It's an interesting journey, past ruins, hills and lemon and orange groves. Shortly after leaving Siracusa, after crossing the rush-lined river Ciane, you can see the two standing columns of the Greek Temple of Jove (to the right of the road). The vibrant city of Catania is an easy train-ride away, and has plenty to occupy the tourist for at least a day. For those with cars, there are plenty of other archaeological sites to explore in the surrounding area, and also several beaches.

> Read on: places to stay in Siracusa.