Siracusa Things to Do

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There is a big cave, adjacent to the Greek Theatre, which the famous Italian Baroque painter Caravaggio called "Orecchio di Dionisio" (the Ear of Dyonisius). Fact is, cave is in the shape of an outer ear and has outstanding acoustic qualities. There goes inevitable legend, along with such a places, which says; the tyrant of Syracuse shut his enemies in the cave and listened to their conversations from outside.
Hmm, maybe he was a good tyrant if avoiding torturing his enemies in order to find out what they could say about him, or maybe he wasn't tyrant at all. No matter what legend says fact is, this cave has extraordinary acoustic.

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Are there too many churches or too little priests? Why some churches never openning their doors, or at least showing names? Isn't every church a public place where people should gather together and worship God or his Son. Who could made decision to close the door and don't let people to visit the interiors? Are this places made for them only (whoever they are) or for all of us no matter if believers or not?
In my opinion churches, mosques, synagogues or temples should never close their doors if made for a people, common people.

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Every place tells it's own stories from early days up to today, facades do tell stroies about the people who live in the places. However, facades tell stories about visitors too, do they just walking around or observing the place. Sometimes we see what nobody else have seen, but also, we don't see what everybody else have seen.
Do we remember place of our visit by it's highlits, historic sights, parks or restaurants or we remember it by some small details cought by our eyes?

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This beautiful palace, right next to the cathedral was constructed between 1629 and 1633 under theplan of Spanish architect Giovanni Vermexio. It is mixed of Baroque and Renaissance style. The palace was constructed to be the seat of the city government and it has the same assignment even today.
The palace was build on the remains of an Greek temple, from the 6th century A.C., most probably honouring Artemides. The remains of the temple are still visible in the subterranial parts of the palace.

This was one of the most well laid out museums I have been to. It led you through from beginning to end so you would not wonder if you had missed something. It was heavy on the potter, so if you don't like that, well just walk by that part fast.

Open Tuesday to Saturday 9:00-14:00

It is not a large gallery, but you'll be pleased to find here the painting by Caravaggio "Burial of Saint Lucy".

The entrance fee is $8. And, of course, it is not an appropriate fee for such a small collection, but I considered it to be my donation to the city, or the museum, just to stay there and don't close its doors to public.

The gallery includes several sections with Byzantine, Medieval and Renaissance sculptures. The Art Gallery contains paintings of the centuries XIV-XVIII, and, in particular, the " San Lorenzo ", attributed to Lorenzo Veneziano (1356-1372) and the "Annunciation" by Antonello da Syracuse (1430 c.-1479). There are also furniture, textiles, ceramics, potteries and works of jewellery.

This amphitheatre was dug in the rock possibly in fourth or third century BC. Elliptical in shape and measuring 70 x 40 metres, the centre was occupied by a tank in which water was brought by two channels. The stairs were originally covered with slabs of stone, with two entrances while under the stairs there was a corridor which allowed the entry of wild beasts and gladiators.

Have at least 2 hours for this park. I spent 4 hours because the Ear of Dionysius surprised us with a wonderful accustics and we wished to play with sounds more and more laughing and singing like crazy inside of it.

Roman amtheteatre is located closer to the entrance. I guess, to preserve it better, they don't let you walk inside of it.

Greek amphitheatre, a craved in stone ancient theater located further away and open for everybody to walk its stairs. Once you walk around it there is a wonderfull view of the city opens up. It has open semicircular form and it looks great from different points of view. Make sure to walk around at the top and go to the stage.

The entrance to the archeological museum is also included in the price. Orsi Museum is located a couple of blocks from the entrance to the park. Leave about 3 hours for the museum if you interested to take a look at everything. If you are more thorough visitor and want to read about each artifact, you will need more then 4 hours. This museum has a large collection and, I believe, it is the most significant in Sicily.