Syracuse, the Sicilian Athens

Syracuse, the Sicilian Athens

The echo of the Greek colonies resonates strongly in Syracuse, a city that cannot fail to appear on a list of places to visit in Sicily. The ancient world, be it Greek or Roman, is strongly present here: a visit to the Neapolis Archaeological Park is a must, where you can admire the Greek theater, dating back to the fifth century BC, the Roman pool, a Roman amphitheater, the fascinating cave of Nymphaeum and many other signs of rich ancient civilizations. The wonders of Syracuse, however, do not end only with the Hellenic splendour. The city amazes for the richness of its faces: there is no shortage of Baroque wonders, such as the cathedral, whose history is enough to delve into to understand how much the various eras have intertwined in its perimeter. Despite being a clear example of Sicilian Baroque, the cathedral incorporates an important temple dedicated to Athena and then converted into a church with the advent of Christianity. A visit to Syracuse is not complete without a stop along its beaches, where travelers can relax and enjoy a refreshing swim, definitely deserved after exploring the wonders of the city.