Syracuse

Syracuse is a city on the Ionian coast of Sicily. It is known for the ruins of antiquity. The central Archaeological Park of Neapolis encloses the Roman amphitheater, the Greek Theater and the Ear of Dionysius, a cave carved into the limestone in the shape of a human ear.

The Museo Archeologico Regionale Paolo Orsi exhibits terracotta finds, portraits from the Roman period and scenes from the Old Testament carved in white marble. The modern Sanctuary of the Madonna delle Lacrime is a monumental conical church surmounted by a bronze statue of the Madonna. A bridge connects the city to the island of Ortigia, the historic center of Syracuse.

Here is the Cathedral of Syracuse, a cathedral built on the site of a former Greek temple that incorporates Doric and Baroque elements. Nearby, papyrus plants surround the Fonte Aretusa, a source with many legends associated with it. The Jewish-Mikveh Bath, an underground bath for ritual immersion, dates back to the 6th century. At the southern end of the island stands Maniace Castle, a fortress from the 13th century.