The ancient city of Syracuse, located in southeast Sicily, was founded in the 8th century BC by Greek settlers from Corinth and Tenea. It grew to become an extremely powerful city-state due to its strategic location and fertile lands. Syracuse dominated the entire Magna Graecia region and was allied with Sparta and Corinth. The city experienced its peak under the tyrant Gelon in the 5th century BC, when it defeated the Carthaginians and expanded its power across Sicily. Syracuse later became part of the Roman Republic and Byzantine Empire and remained an important cultural center. Today it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its Greek archaeological remains.

1. Palazzolo Acreide
Palazzolo Acreide
Comune
Comune di Palazzolo Acreide
Mother Church.
Coat of arms
Palazzolo Acreide (Sicilian: Palazzolu
and comune of in the Province of Syracuse
of Syracuse in the Hyblean Mountains
History
The area around Palazzolo Acreide was settled by humans since very ancient times. In the 11th
10th centuries BC, the Siculi lived here in small villages. The town occupies the site of the
ancient Akrai (Latin Acrae), founded by Syracus
controlled the paths of communication with the towns on the southern coast of the island.
According toThucydides, the Syracusans
In the treaty between the Romans and
latter. After the Roman conquest, it became a
the course of the early Christian age.
The old city was probably destroyed by the
city was built around a Normancastle, no longer extant. An
all of the city, which was slowly rebuilt in the following centuries.
Economy
The economy of Palazzolo Acreide relies mainly on
sheep.
Main sights
• Church of St. Sebastian (15th century, rebuilt after the 17th century).
• Basilica of San Paolo (18th century).
• Church of Santa Maria della Medaglia
• Church of San Michele (15th to 16th centuries, rebuilt after 1693). It is a
"minor Sicilian Baroque", with a notable belfry closed by a cupola.
Palazzolo Acreide
Palazzolo Acreide
Palazzolo Acreide
Country
Region
Province
Government
• Mayor
Population (31 January 2009
• Total
• Density
Demonym
Postal code
Dialing code
Patron saint
Saint day
Palazzolu Acrèidi, in the local dialect: Palazzuolu
Province of Syracuse, Sicily (Italy). It is situated 43
Hyblean Mountains.
The area around Palazzolo Acreide was settled by humans since very ancient times. In the 11th
lived here in small villages. The town occupies the site of the
), founded by Syracuse about 664 BC. The city was important as it
controlled the paths of communication with the towns on the southern coast of the island.
Syracusans defeated the Athenians here in 413 BC.
and Hiero II of Syracuse in 263 BC it was assigned to the
latter. After the Roman conquest, it became a civitas stipendiaria, and was sti
the course of the early Christian age.
The old city was probably destroyed by the Arabs, in the first half of the 9th century. The new
castle, no longer extant. An earthquake in 1693
city, which was slowly rebuilt in the following centuries.
The economy of Palazzolo Acreide relies mainly on agriculture (cereals) and farming of cattle and
(15th century, rebuilt after the 17th century).
(18th century).
Santa Maria della Medaglia.
(15th to 16th centuries, rebuilt after 1693). It is a
", with a notable belfry closed by a cupola.
P a g e | 1
Italy
Sicily
Syracuse (SR)
Carlo Scibetta
(31 January 2009
[1]
)
9,086
110/km2
(270/sq mi)
Palazzolesi
96010
0931
St. Paul
June 29
Palazzuolu) is a town
). It is situated 43 km from the city
The area around Palazzolo Acreide was settled by humans since very ancient times. In the 11th-
lived here in small villages. The town occupies the site of the
BC. The city was important as it
controlled the paths of communication with the towns on the southern coast of the island.
BC.
BC it was assigned to the
, and was still prospering in
, in the first half of the 9th century. The new
earthquake in 1693 destroyed almost
(cereals) and farming of cattle and
(15th century, rebuilt after the 17th century).
(15th to 16th centuries, rebuilt after 1693). It is a typical example of

2. P a g e | 2
• Church of the Assunta or Immacolata (18th century). It has a convex façade and a single nave
interior, with rich decorations. It houses a statue of the Madonna, in Carrara white marble,
sculpted by Francesco Laurana in 1471-1472.
• Church of St. Anthony (18th century), unfinished, with a neo-Romanesque façade.
• The Chiesa Madre ("Mother Church"). The first document attesting its existence dates from
1215, when the church was dedicated to St. Nicholas. It was largely rebuilt and redecorated
after the earthquake of 1693, with a Neo-classicist façade. The interior is on the Latin cross
plan, with a nave and two aisles decorated with precious polychrome marbles.
• Antonino Uccello's Museum House. It houses artifacts and remains from the peasant civilization
of Sicily, including working tools, glass paintings, wax statues and others.
• Palazzo Cappellani, where the Archaeological Museum is site (currently to be opened).
• Grotto of St. Conrad, a small church carved in a cliff, on the site where the hermit Corrado
Confalonieri retired in the 14th century. Traces of mosaics and the base of the altar remain.
The Greek Theater in the ancient Akrai.
The ancient city
The ancient city lies on the hill above the modern town, the approach to it being defended by
quarries, in which tombs of all periods have been discovered. The auditorium of the small theater
is well preserved, though nothing of the stage remains. Close to it are ruins of other buildings,
which bear, without justification, the names Naumachia, Odeum (perhaps a bath establishment) and
Palace of Hiero. The water supply was obtained by subterranean aqueducts. In the cliffs of the
Monte Pineta to the south are other tomb chambers, and to the south again are the curious bas-
reliefs called Santoni or Santicelli, mutilated in the 19th century by a peasant proprietor,
which appear to be sepulchral also. Near here too is the necropolis of the Acrocoro della Torre,
where many sarcophagi have been found. Five miles north lies Buscemi, near which a sacred grotto
has been discovered; and also a church cut in the rock and surrounded by a cemetery.
UNESCO World Heritage Site
Late Baroque Towns of the Val di Noto (South-Eastern
Sicily)
Name as inscribed on the World Heritage List
Country Italy
Type Cultural
Criteria i, ii, iv, v
Reference 398
UNESCO region Europe and North America
Inscription history
Inscription 2002 (20th Session)
AKRAI
A Syracuse colony, with a mainland facing expansion bridge, Akrai was founded in the 664-663
BC on a terrain already inhabited since the Stone Age. Scattered Necropolis testify to the
existence of Sicilian villages during the 10th-11th Centuries BC, which on their arrival,

3. the Greeks managed to control and manage thanks to
constructed on a 770 metre high hill in a dominant territorial position.
period of development and well-being, continually following the fat
Syracuse. According to Tucidide, in
finally defeated the Athenian army which was controlled from
of Gerone II (275-215 BC) that Akra
Romans in 211 and became incorporated in its dominions, where it remained until the end of
the Empire. At first it was a Decuman city (paid a tenth)
Stipendiaria (paid a wage) when it also began to mint its own currency.
Passed over to Byzantine dominium, it was then beseiged and destroyed by the
Arabs in 827 and quickly forgotten.
on the site of ancient Akrai. A
which became known as Palazzolo. Today it is known as
Monuments of great importance have been discovered and recovered: the Latomie (stone caves)
where stone was extracted for use in building temples, roads and def
well preserved theatre, which could hold up to 600 spectators, the
quadrangular Bouleuterion or Council room, the
Acrensi temples. Not too far away, you can also visit and admire the
sculptures from the 3rd century BC, the
in the natural rock.
Syracuse, Sicily
Siracusa
Comune
Comune di Siracusa
Ortigia island
Coat of arms
managed to control and manage thanks to Akrai’s position, that of being
constructed on a 770 metre high hill in a dominant territorial position.
being, continually following the fate of the mother city of
According to Tucidide, in 413 BC on the outskirts of Akrai, the Syracuse people
finally defeated the Athenian army which was controlled from Nicia. It was un
) that Akrai peaked its maximum splendour. The City was taken by the
and became incorporated in its dominions, where it remained until the end of
the Empire. At first it was a Decuman city (paid a tenth) and therefore became
(paid a wage) when it also began to mint its own currency.
dominium, it was then beseiged and destroyed by the
and quickly forgotten.Only during the Norman period, was a castl
suburb then developed which was protected by a
. Today it is known as Palazzolo Acreide
Monuments of great importance have been discovered and recovered: the Latomie (stone caves)
where stone was extracted for use in building temples, roads and defence constructions, a
, which could hold up to 600 spectators, the
or Council room, the Ferali Temples, the Decuman
Not too far away, you can also visit and admire the Santoni
sculptures from the 3rd century BC, the Greek and the Sicilian necropolis
di Siracusa
Country
Region
Province
Government
• Mayor
Population (30 September 2011)
• Total
• Density
Demonym
Time zone
• Summer (DST)
Postal code
Dialing code
Twin cities
• Corinth
Patron saint
Saint day
P a g e | 3
’s position, that of being
constructed on a 770 metre high hill in a dominant territorial position. The City then had a
e of the mother city of
, the Syracuse people
It was under the reign
The City was taken by the
and became incorporated in its dominions, where it remained until the end of
and therefore became Civitas
(paid a wage) when it also began to mint its own currency.
dominium, it was then beseiged and destroyed by the
period, was a castle constructed
then developed which was protected by a town wall,
Palazzolo Acreide.
Monuments of great importance have been discovered and recovered: the Latomie (stone caves)
ence constructions, a
, the Decuman and important
Santoni, Rupestri
Sicilian necropolis, both carved out
Italy
Sicily
Syracuse (SR)
Giancarlo Garrozzo (PD)
(30 September 2011)
123,408
600/km2
(1,600/sq mi)
Siracusani
CET (UTC+1)
CEST (UTC+2)
96100
0931
Greece
Saint Lucy
13 December

4. P a g e | 4
Syracuse (Italian: Siracusa [siraˈkuːza] Sicilian: Sarausa; Latin: Syracusæ; Ancient Greek: Συράκο
υσαι, Syrakousai; medieval Greek: Συρακοῦσαι) is a historic city in Sicily, the capital of
the province of Syracuse. The city is notable for its rich Greek
history, culture, amphitheatres, architecture, and as the birthplace of the
preeminent mathematician and engineer Archimedes.[3]
This 2,700-year-old city played a key role in
ancient times, when it was one of the major powers of theMediterranean world. Syracuse is located
in the southeast corner of the island of Sicily, right by the Gulf of Syracuse next to the Ionian
Sea.
The city was founded by Ancient Greek Corinthians and Teneans[4]
and became a very powerful city-
state. Syracuse was allied with Sparta and Corinth, exerting influence over the entire Magna
Graecia area of which it was the most important city. Once described by Cicero as "the greatest
Greek city and the most beautiful of them all", it later became part of the Roman
Republic andByzantine Empire. After this Palermo overtook it in importance, as the capital of
the Kingdom of Sicily. Eventually the kingdom would be united with the Kingdom of Naples to form
the Two Sicilies until the Italian unification of 1860.
In the modern day, the city is listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site along with
the Necropolis of Pantalica. In the central area, the city itself has a population of around
125,000 people. The inhabitants are known as Siracusans. Syracuse is mentioned in the Bible in
the Acts of the Apostles book at 28:12 as Paul stayed there.[5]
The patron saint of the city
is Saint Lucy; she was born in Syracuse and her feast day, Saint Lucy's Day, is celebrated on 13
December.
History
Greek period
Magna Graecia and List of Tyrants of Syracuse
A Syracusan tetradrachm (c. 415–405 BC), sporting Arethusa and
a quadriga.
Decadrachme from Sicile struck at Syracuse and sign
d'Évainète
The siege of Syracuse in a 17th-century engraving.
Syracuse and its surrounding area have been inhabited since ancient times, as shown by the
findings in the villages of Stentinello, Ognina, Plemmirio, Matrensa, Cozzo Pantano and Thapsos,
which already had a relationship with Mycenaean Greece.
Syracuse was founded in 734 or 733 BC by Greek settlers from Corinth and Tenea, led by
the oecist (colonizer) Archias.There are many attested variants of the name of the city
including Συράκουσαι Syrakousai, Συράκοσαι Syrakosai and Συρακώ Syrako.[2]
A possible origin of
the city's name was given by Vibius Sequester citing[6]
first Stephanus Byzantius[2][7]
in that
there was a Syracusian marsh (λίμνη) called Syrako and secondly Marcian's Periegesis wherein
Archias gave the city the name of a nearby marsh; hence one gets Syrako (and
thereby Syrakousai and other variants) for the name of Syracuse, a name also attested
byEpicharmus.[2][8]
The nucleus of the ancient city was the small island of Ortygia. The settlers
found the land fertile and the native tribes to be reasonably well-disposed to their presence.
The city grew and prospered, and for some time stood as the most powerful Greek city anywhere in

5. P a g e | 5
the Mediterranean. Colonies were founded at Akrai (664 BC), Kasmenai (643 BC), Akrillai (7th
century BC), Helorus (7th century BC) and Kamarina (598 BC).
The descendants of the first colonist, called Gamoroi, held power until they were expelled by
the Killichiroi, the lower class of the city. The former, however, returned to power in 485 BC,
thanks to the help of Gelo, ruler of Gela. Gelo himself became the despot of the city, and moved
many inhabitants of Gela, Kamarina and Megera to Syracuse, building the new quarters of Tyche and
Neapolis outside the walls. His program of new constructions included a new theatre, designed
by Damocopos, which gave the city a flourishing cultural life: this in turn attracted
personalities as Aeschylus, Ario of Metimma, Eumelos of Corinth and Sappho, who had been exiled
here from Mytilene. The enlarged power of Syracuse made unavoidable the clash against
the Carthaginians, who ruled western Sicily. In the Battle of Himera, Gelo, who had allied with
Theron of Agrigento, decisively defeated the African force led by Hamilcar. A temple dedicated
to Athena (on the site of today's Cathedral), was erected in the city to commemorate the event
Gelon was succeeded by his brother Hiero, who fought against the Etruscans at Cumae in 474 BC.
His rule was eulogized by poets likeSimonides of Ceos, Bacchylides and Pindar, who visited his
court. A democratic regime was introduced by Thrasybulos (467 BC). The city continued to expand
in Sicily, fighting against the rebellious Siculi, and on the Tyrrhenian Sea, making expeditions
up to Corsica andElba. In the late 5th century BC, Syracuse found itself at war with Athens,
which sought more resources to fight the Peloponnesian War. The Syracusans enlisted the aid of a
general from Sparta, Athens' foe in the war, to defeat the Athenians, destroy their ships, and
leave them to starve on the island (see Sicilian Expedition). In 401 BC, Syracuse contributed a
force of 3,000 hoplites and a general to Cyrus the Younger's Army of the Ten Thousand.
Then in the early 4th century BC, the tyrant Dionysius the Elder was again at war
against Carthage and, although losing Gela and Camarina, kept that power from capturing the whole
of Sicily. After the end of the conflict Dionysius built a massive fortress on theOrtygia island
of the city and 22 km-long walls around all of Syracuse. Another period of expansion saw the
destruction of Naxos,Catania and Lentini, then Syracuse entered again in war against Carthage
(397 BC). After various changes of fortune, the Carthaginians managed to besiege Syracuse itself,
but were eventually pushed back by a pestilence. A treaty in 392 BC allowed Syracuse to enlarge
further its possessions, founding the cities of Adrano, Tindari and Tauromenos, and
conquering Rhegion on the continent. In the Adriatic, to facilitate trade, Dionysius the
Elder founded Ancona, Adria and Issa. Apart from his battle deeds, Dionysius was famous as a
patron of art, and Plato himself visited Syracuse several times.
His successor was Dionysius the Younger, who was however expelled by Dion in 356 BC. But the
latter's despotic rule led in turn to his expulsion, and Dionysius reclaimed his throne in 347
BC. A democratic government was installed by Timoleon in 345 BC. The long series of internal
struggles had weakened Syracuse's power on the island, and Timoleon tried to remedy this,
defeating the Carthaginians in 339 BC near the Krimisos (de) river. But the struggle among the
city's parties restarted after his death and ended with the rise of another tyrant, Agathocles,
who seized power with a coup in 317 BC. He resumed the war against Carthage, with alternate
fortunes. However he scored a moral success, bringing the war to the Carthaginians' native
African soil, inflicting heavy losses to the enemy. The war ended with another treaty of peace
which did not prevent the Carthaginians interfering in the politics of Syracuse after the death
of Agathocles (289 BC). The citizens called Pyrrhus of Epirus for help. After a brief period
under the rule of Epirus, Hiero II seized power in 275 BC.
Hiero inaugurated a period of 50 years of peace and prosperity, in which Syracuse became one of
the most renowned capitals of Antiquity. He issued the so-called Lex Hieronica, which was later
adopted by the Romans for their administration of Sicily; he also had the theatre enlarged and a
new immense altar, the "Hiero's Ara", built. Under his rule lived the most famous Syracusan, the
mathematician and natural philosopher Archimedes. Among his many inventions were various military
engines including the claw of Archimedes, later used to resist the Roman siege of 214 BC–212 BC.
Literary figures included Theocritus and others.
Hiero's successor, the young Hieronymus (ruled from 215 BC), broke the alliance with the Romans
after their defeat at the Battle of Cannae and accepted Carthage's support. The Romans, led by
consul Marcus Claudius Marcellus, besieged the city in 214 BC. The city held out for three years,

6. P a g e | 6
but fell in 212 BC. The successes of the Syracusians in repelling the Roman siege had made them
overconfident. In 212 BC, the Romans received information that the city's inhabitants were to
participate in the annual festival to their goddess Artemis. A small party of Roman soldiers
approached the city under the cover of night and managed to scale the walls to get into the outer
city and with reinforcements soon took control, killing Archimedes in the process, but the main
fortress remained firm. After an eight-month siege and with parleys in progress, an Iberian
captain named Moeriscus is believed to have let the Romans in near the Fountains of Arethusa. On
the agreed signal, during a diversionary attack, he opened the gate. After setting guards on the
houses of the pro-Roman faction, Marcellus gave Syracuse to plunder.
Imperial Roman and Byzantine period
The Roman amphitheatre.
Temple of Apollo (Syracuse) (it), Piazza Pantalica,
2012
Piazza Duomo
Though declining slowly by the years, Syracuse maintained the status of capital of the Roman
government of Sicily and seat of thepraetor. It remained an important port for trade between the
Eastern and the Western parts of the Empire. Christianity spread in the city through the efforts
of Paul of Tarsus and Saint Marziano, the first bishop of the city, who made it one of the main
centres of proselytismin the West. In the age of persecutions massive catacombs were carved,
whose size is second only to those of Rome.
After a period of Vandal rule, Syracuse and the island was recovered by Belisarius for
the Byzantine Empire (31 December 535). From 663 to 668 Syracuse was the seat of Emperor Constans
II, as well as metropolis of the whole Sicilian Church.
The city was besieged by the Aghlabids for almost a year in 827–828, but Byzantine reinforcements
prevented its fall. It remained the center of Byzantine resistance to the gradual Muslim conquest
of Sicily until it fell to the Aghlabids after another siege on 20/21 May 878. During the two
centuries of Muslim rule, the capital of the Emirate of Sicily was moved from Syracuse
to Palermo. The Cathedral was converted into a mosque and the quarter on the Ortygia island was
gradually rebuilt along Islamic styles. The city, nevertheless, maintained important trade
relationships, and housed a relatively flourishing cultural and artistic life: several Arab
poets, including Ibn Hamdis, the most important Sicilian Arab poet of the 12th century,
flourished in the city.
In 1038, the Byzantine general George Maniakes reconquered the city, sending the relics of St.
Lucy to Constantinople. The eponymous castle on the cape of Ortygia bears his name, although it
was built under the Hohenstaufen rule. In 1085 the Normans entered Syracuse, one of the
last Arab strongholds, after a summer-long siege by Roger I of Sicily and his son Jordan of

7. P a g e | 7
Hauteville, who was given the city as count. New quarters were built, and the cathedral was
restored, as well as other churches.
High medieval period
In 1194, Emperor Henry VI occupied the Sicilian kingdom, including Syracuse. After a short period
of Genoese rule (1205–1220) under the notorious admiral and pirate Alamanno da Costa, which
favoured a rise of trades, royal authority was re-asserted in the city byFrederick II. He began
the construction of the Castello Maniace, the Bishops' Palace and the Bellomo Palace. Frederick's
death brought a period of unrest and feudal anarchy. In the War of the Sicilian Vespers between
the Angevin and Aragonese dynastie for control of Sicily, Syracuse sided with the Aragonese and
expelled the Angevins in 1298, receiving from the Spanish sovereigns great privileges in reward.
The pre-eminence of baronal families is also shown by the construction of the palaces
of Abela, Chiaramonte, Nava, Montalto.
From the 16th century to the 20th century
The city was struck by two ruinous earthquakes in 1542 and 1693, and a plague in 1729. The 17th
century destruction changed forever the appearance of Syracuse, as well as the entire Val di
Noto, whose cities were rebuilt along the typical lines of Sicilian Baroque, considered one of
the most typical expressions of art of Southern Italy. The spread of cholera in 1837 led to a
revolt against the Bourbongovernment. The punishment was the move of the province capital seat
to Noto, but the unrest had not been totally choked, as the Siracusani took part in the Sicilian
revolution of independence of 1848.
After the Unification of Italy of 1865, Syracuse regained its status of provincial capital. In
1870 the walls were demolished and a bridge connecting the mainland to Ortygia island was built.
In the following year a railway link was constructed.
Modern history
Heavy destruction was caused by the Allied and the German bombings in 1943. Operation Husky, the
codename for the Allied invasion of Sicily, was launched on the night of 9/10 July 1943 with
British forces attacking the west of the island. General Montgomery's Eighth Army captured
Syracuse on the first day of the invasion almost unopposed. The port was then used as a base for
the Royal Navy.[9]
To the west of the city is a Commonwealth War Graves cemetery where about 1,000
men are buried. After the end of World War IIthe northern quarters of Syracuse experienced a
heavy, often chaotic, expansion, favoured by the quick process of industrialization.
Syracuse today has about 125,000 inhabitants and numerous attractions for the visitor interested
in historical sites (such as the Ear of Dionysius). A process of recovering and restoring the
historical centre has been ongoing since the 1990s. Nearby places of note
include Catania, Noto, Modica and Ragusa.
Culture
Tourism
Since 2005, the entire city of Syracuse, along with the Necropolis of Pantalica which falls
within the province of Syracuse, were listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. This programme
aims to catalogue, name and conserve sites of outstandingcultural or natural importance to the
common heritage of humanity. The deciding committee which evaluates potential candidates
described their reasons for choosing Syracuse because "monuments and archeological sites situated
in Syracuse are the finest example of outstanding architectural creation spanning several
cultural aspects; Greek, Roman and Baroque", following on that Ancient Syracuse was "directly
linked to events, ideas and literary works of outstanding universal significance".[13]
UNESCO World Heritage Site
Syracuse & the Rocky Necropolis of Pantalica
Name as inscribed on the World Heritage List

8. P a g e | 8
Country Italy
Type Cultural
Criteria ii, iii, iv, vi
Reference 1200
UNESCO region Europe
Inscription history
Inscription 2005 (29th Session)
Buildings of the Greek period
• The Temple of Apollo (Syracuse) (it), Piazza Pancali, adapted to a church in Byzantine times
and to a mosque under Arab rule.
• The Fountain of Arethusa, in the Ortygia island. According to a legend, the nymph Arethusa,
hunted by Alpheus, took shelter here.
• The Greek Theatre, whose cavea is one of the largest ever built by the ancient Greeks: it has
67 rows, divided into nine sections with eight aisles. Only traces of the scene and
the orchestra remain. The edifice (still used today) was modified by the Romans, who adapted
it to their different style of spectacles, including also circus games. Near the theatre are
thelatomìe, stone quarries, also used as prisons in ancient times. The most famous latomìa is
the Orecchio di Dionisio ("Ear of Dionysius").
• The Roman amphitheatre, of Roman Imperial age. It was partly carved out from the rock. In the
centre of the area is a rectangular space which was used for the scenic machinery.
• The so-called Tomb of Archimede, in the Grotticelli Nechropolis. Decorated with two Doric
columns, it was a Roman tomb.
• The Temple of Olympian Zeus, about 3 kilometres (2 miles) outside the city, built around 6th
century BC.
Buildings of the Christian period
• The cathedral (Italian: Duomo) was built by bishop Zosimo in the 7th century over the
great Temple of Athena (5th century BC), on Ortygia island. This was a Doric edifice with six
columns on the short sides and 14 on the long ones: these can still be seen incorporated in
the walls of the current church. The base of the Greek edifice had three steps. The interior
of the church has a nave and two aisles. The roof of the nave is from Norman times, as well as
the mosaics in the apses. The façade was rebuilt by Andrea Palma in 1725–1753, with a double
order of Corinthian columns, and statues by Ignazio Marabitti. The most interesting pieces of
the interior are a font with marble basin (12th–13th century), a silver statue of St. Lucy by
Pietro Rizzo (1599), a ciborium by Luigi Vanvitelli, and a statue of the Madonna della
Neve ("Madonna of the Snow", 1512) by Antonello Gagini.

9. P a g e | 9
• Basilica of Santa Lucia extra Moenia, a Byzantine church built, according to tradition, in the
same place of the martyrdom of the saint in 303 AD. The current appearance is from the 15th-
16th centuries. The most ancient parts still preserved include the portal, the three half-
circular apses and the first two orders of the belfry. Under the church are theCatacombs of
St. Lucy. For this church Caravaggio painted the Burial of St. Lucy, now housed in the Church
of Santa Lucìa alla Badìa.
• Our Lady of Tears Shrine (20th century).
• Church of San Paolo (18th century).
• Church of San Cristoforo (14th century, rebuilt in the 18th century).
• Church of Santa Lucìa alla Badìa, a Baroque edifice built after the 1693 earthquake. It houses
the Burial of St. Lucy by Caravaggio
• Church of Santa Maria dei Miracoli (13th century).
• Church of the Spirito Santo (18th century).
• Church of the Jesuit College, a majestic, Baroque building.
• Church of St. Benedict (16th century, restored after 1693). It houses a painting of the Death
of Saint Benedict by the Caravaggisti Mario Minniti.
• Chiesa della Concezione (14th century, rebuilt in the 18th century), with the annexed
Benedictine convent.
• Church of San Francesco all'Immacolata, with a convex façade intermingled by columns and
pilaster strips. It housed and ancient celebration, the Svelata ("Revelation"), in which an
image of the Madonna was unveiled at dawn of 29 November.
• Basilica of St. John the Evangelist, built by the Normans and destroyed in 1693. Only
partially restored, it was erected over an ancient crypt of the martyr San Marciano, later
destroyed by the Arabs. The main altar is Byzantine. It includes the Catacombs of San
Giovanni, featuring a maze of tunnels and passages, with thousands of tombs and several
frescoes.
Other notable buildings
• Castello Maniace, constructed between 1232 and 1240, is an example of the military
architecture of Frederick II's reign. It is a square structure with circular towers at each of
the four corners. The most striking feature is the pointed portal, decorated with polychrome
marbles.
• The important Archaeological Museum, with collections including findings from the mid-Bronze
Age to 5th century BC.
• Palazzo Lanza Buccheri (16th century).
• Palazzo Mergulese-Montalto (14th century), which conserves the old façade from the 14th
century, with a pointed portal.
• The Archbishop's Palace (17th century, modified in the following century). It houses
the Alagonian Library, founded in the late 18th century.
• The Palazzo Vermexio, the current Town Hall, which includes fragments of an Ionic temple of
the 5th century BC.
• Palazzo Francica Nava, with parts of the original 16th century building surviving.
• Palazzo Beneventano del Bosco, originally built in the Middle Ages but extensively modified
between 1779 and 1788. It has a pleasant internal court.
• Palazzo Migliaccio (15th century), with notable lava inlay decorations.
• The Senate Palace, housing in the court an 18th-century coach.
• The Castle of Euryalos, built 9 kilometres (6 miles) outside the city by Dionysius the Elder
and which was one of the most powerful fortresses of ancient times. It had three moats with a
series of underground galleries which allowed the defenders to remove the materials the
attackers could use to fill them.
• Palazzo Bellomo, whose museum houses Antonello da Messina's Annunciation (1474).

10. Gallery
•
The Maniace Castle
Detail of Palazzo Beneventano Del Bosco
Detail of the Fountain of Diana
Ortygia
Ortygia (Italian: Ortigia) is a small island which is the historical centre of the city
of Syracuse, Sicily. The island, also known as Città Vecchia (Old City), contains many
historical landmarks. The name originates from the
"Quail".
Overview
The Homeric Hymn to Delian Apollo has it that the goddess
birth to Artemis,
[1]
the firstborn
the island of Delos, where Leto gave birth to
twins were born in the same place
old name of Delos. Further, there were perhaps a half
that the identification is uncertain.
metamorphosed into a quail (Ortux), threw herself into the sea, and was metamorphosed into
the island Ortygia. Another myth suggested that it was Delos instead of Ortygia.
Location
Detail of Palazzo Beneventano Del Bosco
Diana
Our Lady of Tears Shrine
The Cathedral of Syracuse
Panoramic view
) is a small island which is the historical centre of the city
. The island, also known as Città Vecchia (Old City), contains many
originates from the Ancient Greek ortyx
The Homeric Hymn to Delian Apollo has it that the goddess Leto stopped at Ortygia to give
the firstborn of her twins. Artemis then helped Leto across the sea to
, where Leto gave birth to Apollo.
[2]
Other ancient sources state that the
twins were born in the same place—which was either Delos or Ortygia
[3]
—
old name of Delos. Further, there were perhaps a half-dozen other places called Ortygia, so
that the identification is uncertain.
[4]
It was also said that Asteria, the sister of Leto
metamorphosed into a quail (Ortux), threw herself into the sea, and was metamorphosed into
r myth suggested that it was Delos instead of Ortygia.
P a g e | 10
Our Lady of Tears Shrine
Cathedral of Syracuse (it)
) is a small island which is the historical centre of the city
. The island, also known as Città Vecchia (Old City), contains many
(ὄρτυξ) which means
stopped at Ortygia to give
of her twins. Artemis then helped Leto across the sea to
Other ancient sources state that the
but Ortygia was an
dozen other places called Ortygia, so
, the sister of Leto
metamorphosed into a quail (Ortux), threw herself into the sea, and was metamorphosed into
r myth suggested that it was Delos instead of Ortygia.
[5]

11. P a g e | 11
Ortygia is located at the eastern end of Syracuse and is separated from it by a narrow
channel. Three bridges connect the island to mainland Sicily. The island is an extremely
popular place for tourism, shopping, entertainment and also a residential area.
Subdistricts
• Graziella (Sicilian: Razziedda)
• Bottari (Sicilian: 'Uttari)
• Mastrarua (Sicilian: Masciarrò)
• Spirduta (Sicilian: Spidduta)
• Maestranza (Sicilian: Mascianza)
• Duomo (Sicilian: Domu)
• Giudecca (Sicilian: Jureca)
• Turba (Sicilian: Tubba)
• Castello Maniace (Sicilian: Casteddu)
Landmarks
• Piazza del Duomo, Syracuse
• Piazza Archimede
• Arethuse

12. P a g e | 12
Istituto di Istruzione Superiore
Palazzolo Acreide (SR)
Sedi associate: I.T.I.S. – I.P.S.A.A. – I.P.S.S.A.R.T. – Liceo Classico – Liceo Linguistico
Liceo delle Scienze Umane – Liceo Artistico
Sede Coordinata: I.P.S.A.A. (Sortino)
Provisional Program
Comenius Meeting Italy
From 10th to 14th February
MONDAY 10th
FEBRUARY:
Arrival of Delegations. Transfer from Catania Airport to Palazzolo Acreide
Meeting with Host Families at school
Dinner at the hotel
TUESDAY 11th
FEBRUARY:
09.00 Meeting at school and visit of the school (Teachers and Students)
11.00 Teachers Meeting
13.00 Lunch at the restaurant: about 15 € per person
Afternoon: Visit of the town: Popular Traditions Museum and The Travellers Museum
Dinner (Only Teachers)
WEDNESDAY 12th
FEBRUARY:
09.00 Trip to Siracusa by bus. Visit of Greek Remains
Lunch
Visit and free time in Ortigia
Return to Palazzolo at about 19.00
Dinner at the Hotel
THURSDAY 13th
FEBRUARY:
09.00 Visit of Akrai
12.00 Meeting at the Town Hall with the Local Authorities
13.00 Lunch
17.00 Goodbye Party and Dinner at school
FRIDAY 14th
FEBRUARY:
09.00 Departure of Delegations