Historic sites in Syracuse

Ancient Sites and Fortresses

Syracuse was one of the largest cities of the Greek world, and its ruins are spread across Ortigia and the mainland. This list gathers the temples, theatres, quarries, burial grounds and fortresses that trace its history from Greek colony to Roman city to medieval stronghold.

Allie_Caulfield / cc-by-2.0

A

Temple of Apollo

The ruins of one of the oldest Doric temples in Sicily, from the 6th century BC, at the entrance to Ortigia.

Andrew Malone / cc-by-2.0

B

Greek Theatre

A large Greek theatre cut into the Temenite hill in the 5th century BC, still used for classical plays in summer.

Giovanni Dall'Orto / attribution

C

Roman Amphitheatre

A large Roman amphitheatre, largely cut from the rock, where gladiator games were once held.

Davide Mauro / cc-by-2.5-it

D

Neapolis Archaeological Park

This archaeological park contains the city's most significant ancient monuments, including the Greek Theatre, the Roman Amphitheatre, the Altar of Hieron II and the Latomia del Paradiso quarries with the Ear of Dionysius.

Steffen Seiler / cc-by-4.0

E

Altar of Hieron II

The foundations of a huge Greek sacrificial altar from the 3rd century BC, inside the Neapolis Archaeological Park.

t_y_l / cc-by-sa-2.0

F

Via dei Sepolcri

An ancient road above the Greek Theatre, lined with tombs and niches cut into the rock.

Allie_Caulfield / cc-by-2.0

G

Castello Maniace

A 13th-century fortress built for Emperor Frederick II on the southern tip of Ortigia, with sea views and a vaulted great hall.

Davide Mauro / cc-by-sa-4.0

H

Euryalus Castle

The Euryalus Fortress located in the frazione of Belvedere was the key point in the fortifications of the ancient Greek city of Syracuse.

Giovanni Dall'Orto / attribution

I

Catacombs of St John

A large network of early Christian burial tunnels beneath the church of San Giovanni, visited on guided tours.

Davide Mauro / cc-by-sa-4.0

J

Roman Gymnasium

A 1st-century AD Roman complex featuring a small theater, a quadriporticus, and a temple. Despite its name, it was likely a sanctuary or a meeting place for a religious cult rather than a traditional gymnasium.

Henry Tresham (1751 - 1814) – Artist… / pd

K

Temple of Olympian Zeus

Known as the Olympeion, this 6th-century BC Doric temple was one of the earliest in Syracuse. Today, only two monolithic columns remain standing on a hill overlooking the Great Harbor.

Davide Mauro / cc-by-4.0

L

Porta Urbica

Remains of an ancient Greek city gate on Ortigia, found near the Temple of Apollo.

Tripomatic user / cc-by-4.0

M

Forte Vigliena

An 18th-century coastal defense battery on the eastern side of Ortigia. It was part of the complex fortification system designed to defend Syracuse from naval attacks.

Davide Mauro / cc-by-sa-4.0

N

Stentinello

A prehistoric Neolithic settlement site north of Syracuse, giving its name to the Stentinello culture characterized by distinctive impressed pottery dating back to the 5th millennium BC.