Syracuse

The pearl of Sicily

: The Old Town of Syracuse lies on the peninsula of Ortigia surrounded by the sea.

Due to its unique location on the peninsula of Ortigia, its millennia old history and its blending of Orient and Occident, the town – a UNESCO World Heritage site – is one of Sicily's most interesting sights.

In ancient times, Syracuse had, for centuries, been the most significant town of the world then known. Even Cicero called it the "the greatest and most beautiful of all Greek towns".

: The 7th century cathedral of Santa Maria delle Colonne.

Syracuse is located in the southeast of Sicily and made up of the Old Town (Ortigia) and the New Town.

Ortigia, the "island of quails", was the original part of Syracuse. Small alleys, restaurants, bars and cafes mark it out today and invite you to stroll around. The cathedral of Santa Maria delle Colonne, which dates from the 7^th century BC, rises majestically in the centre of the centro storico. The semicircular cathedral square is surrounded by grand 17^th and 18^th century palazzi.

: Greek excavation site in the middle of Syracuse/Ortigia.

Another 'celebrity' at Syracuse and steeped in legend is Fonte Aretusa, the fresh water spring at the seaside. For the Greeks at the time it was a source of drinking water. The papyrus plants growing from the spring were the raw material for paper manufacture.

: According to legend, goddess Artemis transformed nymph Arethusa into a spring to protect her from lecherous god Alpheios.

: Fresh from the sea - the fish dishes in the bsitrot "Le vin de l'assassin".

Our restaurant tip for Syracuse:

"Le Vin de l'Assassin" – a restaurant which skilfully combines Mediterranean specialities and French cuisine and serves its guests true culinary delights. Taste the excellent onion soup, the delicious starter puff pastry with aubergines and swordfish or the freshly prepared gilt-head bream, for example. A dessert of delicious crêpes with home-made chocolate sauce and bourbon vanilla ice-cream tops off the meal!