Exploring Ortigia, the Ancient Heart of Syracuse, Syracuse, Italy
According to Cicero, the greatest of Greek cities wasn鈥檛 in Greece itself but in Sicily. He described Ortigia, the original heart of modern-day Syracuse, as 鈥榯he greatest Greek city and the most beautiful of all鈥�. Situated on a small island, the city was founded by the Greek settlers from Corinth in 743 B.C.
Today聽UNESCO聽listed Ortigia has everything you hope to find in an Italian city. There are ancient ruins from both Greek and Roman times, a Baroque cathedral, and winding lanes that ooze history at every turn. Oh, and great聽gelato聽too of course!
But we started our visit not with聽gelato聽but with its more refreshing cousin,聽granitia.聽It was a hot day and we had parked, as you must, in a large car park on the mainland (Ortigia is an island city). From here it was about ten minutes鈥� walk to the bridge that links the island to the rest of Syracuse. A period of cooling off was required before we started to explore. Do come with me on a (belated)聽Monday Walk.
We started with a wander through the street market which was selling mostly tourist 鈥榯at鈥�, though I was briefly tempted by a decorative tile to be used as a trivet. That was, until I realised how much it would weigh down my suitcase! ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).
Today聽UNESCO聽listed Ortigia has everything you hope to find in an Italian city. There are ancient ruins from both Greek and Roman times, a Baroque cathedral, and winding lanes that ooze history at every turn. Oh, and great聽gelato聽too of course!
But we started our visit not with聽gelato聽but with its more refreshing cousin,聽granitia.聽It was a hot day and we had parked, as you must, in a large car park on the mainland (Ortigia is an island city). From here it was about ten minutes鈥� walk to the bridge that links the island to the rest of Syracuse. A period of cooling off was required before we started to explore. Do come with me on a (belated)聽Monday Walk.
We started with a wander through the street market which was selling mostly tourist 鈥榯at鈥�, though I was briefly tempted by a decorative tile to be used as a trivet. That was, until I realised how much it would weigh down my suitcase! ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).
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Sights Featured in This Article
Guide Name: Exploring Ortigia, the Ancient Heart of Syracuse
Guide Location: Italy » Syracuse
Guide Type: Self-guided Walking Tour (Insider Tips)
Author: Sarah Wilkie
Read it on Author's Website:
Sight(s) Featured in This Guide:
Guide Location: Italy » Syracuse
Guide Type: Self-guided Walking Tour (Insider Tips)
Author: Sarah Wilkie
Read it on Author's Website:
Sight(s) Featured in This Guide:
- Temple of Apollo
- Chiesa di San Pietro Apostolo
- Fontana di Diana
- Piazza Archimede
- La Cattedrale Metropolitana della Nativit脿 di Maria Santissima
- Waterfront views
- Chiesa del Collegio dei Gesuiti
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