Syracuse and Ortygia - Syracuse and the Rocky Necropolis of Pantalica

Steeped in millennia of history, the city of Syracuse on the southeastern coast of Sicily stands as a testament to the ebb and flow of Mediterranean civilizations. Its ancient heart, particularly the island of Ortygia, along with the archaeological treasures on the mainland, earned it a prestigious place on the UNESCO World Heritage list.

A Greek Metropolis

Founded by Greek colonists from Corinth in 734 BC, Syracuse quickly rose to become one of the most powerful and prosperous cities of the ancient world. Under tyrants like Gelon and Dionysius I, it rivalled Athens and Sparta, controlling much of Sicily and parts of southern Italy. This was a city of unparalleled cultural and scientific brilliance, home to the legendary mathematician and inventor Archimedes, whose ingenious defenses famously held the Roman siege at bay for years during the Second Punic War.

Ortygia: The Historic Heart

The island of Ortygia is the true soul of Syracuse, a labyrinth of narrow streets, Baroque palaces, and ancient ruins. Here, one finds the sacred freshwater spring of Arethusa, a mythical site mentioned by poets and historians throughout antiquity. Dominating the main square is the magnificent Duomo di Siracusa (Cathedral of Syracuse), a unique edifice that masterfully incorporates the columns of the ancient Greek Temple of Athena, dating back to the 5th century BC, into its Baroque structure. Nearby, the well-preserved remains of the Temple of Apollo bear witness to the city's earliest Greek presence.

The Mainland Marvels

Beyond Ortygia, the Neapolis Archaeological Park unveils more of Syracuse's grandeur. The monumental Greek Theatre, carved into the hillside, once hosted classical dramas and public assemblies, capable of seating thousands. Adjacent to it lies the impressive Roman Amphitheatre, a testament to the city's later Roman period. A fascinating natural cave, known as the Ear of Dionysius, with its remarkable acoustics, is also a key feature, shrouded in legends about the tyrant Dionysius I using it to eavesdrop on prisoners.

Legacy and Recognition

From its glorious Greek past to its later Roman, Byzantine, Arab, Norman, and Spanish phases, Syracuse has absorbed and reflected diverse cultures, each leaving an indelible mark. This continuous layering of history, architectural innovation, and cultural development, particularly its role as a key Mediterranean power, is why Syracuse and Ortygia are recognized as an outstanding example of urban development in the Mediterranean world, preserving monuments of exceptional universal value.

Weiterführende Links

• Syracuse, Sicily
• Ortygia
• Archimedes

The site consists of two separate elements, containing outstanding vestiges dating back to Greek and Roman times: The Necropolis of Pantalica contains over 5,000 tombs cut into the rock near open stone quarries, most of them dating from the 13th to 7th centuries BC. Vestiges of the Byzantine era also remain in the area, notably the foundations of the Anaktoron (Prince’s Palace). The other part of the property, Ancient Syracuse, includes the nucleus of the city’s foundation as Ortygia by Greeks from Corinth in the 8th century BC. The site of the city, which Cicero described as ‘the greatest Greek city and the most beautiful of all’, retains vestiges such as the Temple of Athena (5th century BC, later transformed to serve as a cathedral), a Greek theatre, a Roman amphitheatre, a fort and more. Many remains bear witness to the troubled history of Sicily, from the Byzantines to the Bourbons, interspersed with the Arabo-Muslims, the Normans, Frederick II of the Hohenstaufen dynasty (1197–1250), the Aragons and the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies. Historic Syracuse offers a unique testimony to the development of Mediterranean civilization over three millennia.