Hi, I’m Cristina and I’m in Syracuse on business. It’s impossible not to spend a few more hours in the city to admire its architectural wonders, so between one meeting and another I visited a little treasure of the city, the island of Ortigia. A small handkerchief of land just one square kilometre in size, it is the oldest part of Syracuse, considered the true historic centre of the Sicilian city.
How to get to the island of Ortigia?
Ortigia emerges from the waters of the Ionian Sea along the eastern coast of Sicily, just a few hundred metres from the mainland. The island is connected by two bridges that can be crossed by car, but it is important to note that many of the town’s streets are within a large ZTL area, so many tourists prefer to visit Ortigia on foot, leaving their cars in the car parks near the main entrances.
What to see on the island of Ortigia?
Ortigia is overflowing with history and art, with a number of splendid buildings dating from various periods since the Greek period. The most famous symbol of Greek civilisation is the Temple of Athena (built in the 5th century BC), whose columns and stepped basement are now incorporated into the more modern Duomo of Syracuse, built in the 17th century in the Baroque style. This imposing building stands in Piazza Duomo, which, together with Piazza Montalto, is one of the island’s nerve centres.
There is also a great deal of religious architecture, such as the Church of Santa Lucia alla Badia: this beautiful Baroque building, once a nunnery, has been deconsecrated for several years and houses a splendid work of art by Caravaggio, the ‘Seppellimento di Santa Lucia’.
Among the many architectural beauties to visit is undoubtedly the Maniace Castle, which stands on the extreme tip of the island, once considered a strategic position to monitor what was happening on the open sea and prepare for possible attacks.
At the end of the tour, it is worth visiting the Arethusa Spring, a freshwater mirror shrouded in the mystery of a Greek myth; it is said that the nymph Arethusa, in order to escape the attentions of the god Alphaeus, who was madly in love with her, fled to the island of Ortigia in Syracuse, invoking the help of Artemis, who transformed her into a spring. Zeus, however, moved by Alphaeus’ grief at having lost his love, decided to help him reunite with Arethusa, turning him into a river that runs from Greece to Ortigia.
After more than two thousand years, the Fountain of Arethusa in Syracuse keeps the memory of the myth alive, symbolising not only the love story between the nymph and the god Alphaeus, but also the bond that exists between Syracuse and the motherland of its founders.
My advice
Stop to enjoy an aperitif in one of the many bars in the little harbour. I went to Burgio, a family-run establishment that produces everything it offers its customers, from cold meats to jams, cheeses and wine, a unique experience for your palate.
If you have a few extra hours, plan a boat trip to discover the Ortigia Riviera and its caves, which are truly suggestive and affordable for everyone.
So many wonders enclosed in a small island!
Did you like this article? Make a quote for your next car rental here or discover the other destinations that have fascinated our travelers here.
- Car used: FIAT TIPO
- Consumption: 40€ for the trip
- Km traveled: 240 (go and return from Comiso)
- Distance from nearby airports: 117 kilometers from Comiso Airport
