Sicily, in particular, is a region of Italy that is full of incredible architectural gems and great architectural cities from the Arab-Norman wonders of Palermo to the ornate and sumptuous Baroque seen in Noto. As such, many of the towns and cities of the island are well-worth simply wandering while keeping your eyes properly open to all of the beauty all around you. Those who find a villa in Syracuse should definitely take this advice to heart as there are ample world-class monuments to visit but the streets, in general, are dotted with gorgeous buildings both famous and little-known that are true architectural wonders. So, seek out the attractions in town but also explore, get a little bit lost, and take in the beauty of this city during a vacation in Sicily.
A 2,700 year-old city, Syracuse has reminders from many, many periods in history and styles of architecture dotting her lovely streets. Especially notable are the Greek and Roman ruins that characterise the cityscape and include the old city walls, the UNESCO-awarded Greek Theatre (one of the largest ever built by the Greeks), the Roman amphitheatre, the Temple of Apollo (made a church by the Byzantines and then into a mosque by Arab rulers in Sicily), the Fountain of Arethusa (which is steeped in myth), the Temple of Olympian Zeus, and the Tomb of Archimede.
Then, of course, there is the long list of stunning churches in the city including the gorgeous Cathedral of Syracuse. Built on a site that once was home to a Temple of Athena dating back to the 6th century BC, the origins of the current building date go all the way back to the 7th century and was commissioned by Saint Bishop Zosimo of Syracuse, who made use of Doric columns from the original temple that can still be seen in and outside the church to this day. Made into a mosque and then back into a church, its current appearance is due to rebuilding after the 1693 earthquake in the city and is by Andrea Palma in the High Sicilian Baroque style of the 18th century. Another of the city’s UNESCO World Heritage sites, it is a great beauty that is steeped in the long history of the city. In addition to the city’s great cathedral, there are churches with works by Caravaggio and his followers, more Baroque gems, Byzantine churches, and even a highly modern 20th century church, the Basilica of the Virgin of Tears.
Beyond the city’s great religious buildings and ancient ruins, there are the palaces and castles of Syracuse. The most visible of these has to be the Castello Maniace, a great citadel and castle located at the extreme point of the Ortygia island promontory. Built between 1232 and 1240 by Emperor Frederick II, it is named for George Maniakes, the Byzantine general who constructed the first fortress on the site two centuries earlier. Key to defending Syracuse, a royal residence of queens of Sicily, and later a prison, the striking building is now one of the city’s key tourist attractions. Then there are other palaces in town such as the less immediately impressive Palazzo Bellomo, which nonetheless hosts an important art museum in the city; the stoic Palazzo Vermexio, which currently acts as the city’s Town Hall; the very pretty Palazzo Beneventano del Bosco; and the Castle of Euryalos, just outside the city, which was one of the most impressive fortresses of ancient times and has many defensive features.
Along with all of these gems, there are fountains, pretty town squares, statuary, monuments, bridges, charming streets, and all sorts of other wonders to discover. So, book your vacation rental in Syracuse and come explore all that she has to offer on your next holiday!
