Full Day Tour of Syracuse and its Archaeology

Cicero described Syracuse as the greatest Greek city and the most beautiful of all (Verrine, II, IV, 117). Established in 733 BC. by Corinthian settlers, Syracuse played a starring role in Mediterranean history, becoming the political and cultural heart of Sicily until the Arabic conquest in 878 AD. The historical importance of the city reverberates through its enormous archaeological heritage, which may be regarded as the perfect interpretation of the history of ancient Sicily. This becomes evident by looking at the whole city, from Plemmirio to Epipole, from the Neapolis Park to Ortygia, from the "Borgata di Santa Lucia" to the "Paolo Orsi" Archaeological Museum. This tour will give you a comprehensive overview of this stunning multi-layer city, by delving deep into its thousand-year old archaeological and architectural heritage. As an archaeologist with a contagious passion for my land, I will help you decipher the complex history of Syracuse, by bringing each site to life for you.

- Visit to the Eurialo Castle, whose construction was ordered by Dionysius the Elder (402-397 BC). It was built in the most vulnerable part of the Epipole area, and it represented the main fortification in Syracuse until the Roman siege in 212 BC. - Tour of the Neapolis Archaeological Park to visit the Greek Theater, the latomies (Greek stone-quarries), the Altar of Hieron II, and the Roman Amphitheater. - A walk around the island of Ortygia, that discloses exceptional Greek, Roman and Late Antiquity monuments. The tour of Ortygia includes the visit to the Temple of Apollo, the Cathedral/Temple of Athena, and the Fountain of Arethusa. N. B. The Eurialo Castle may be closed depending on the seasons, and other unpredictable reasons. In this case, we'll replace it with the Catacombs of Saint John, the biggest complex of its kind in Sicily, or some other sites. The itinerary can be customized upon request.