Founded in 733 to 734 BC by Greek Corinthians, Syracuse quickly became a thriving “new world”. Described as “the greatest Greek city and the most beautiful of them all”, it equaled Athens in size during the fifth century BC.
150,000 citizens lived in Syracuse (which means men only) – extrapolating out to approximately half a million inhabitants when you include women, children and slaves.
The entire city was built of limestone from the on-site limestone quarries.
The Greek Theatre, built in 5BC held about 15,000 people. It is one of the largest in the world, entirely excavated in rock – limestone carved out of the hill. It was used for performances of tragedies and comedies. and for political gatherings.
Today Greek theatre is performed in May for a two month long festival with about 4000 people attending each show.
When the Romans came in 3BC, they also used it for same purposes and built an amphitheater elsewhere in Syracuse. The amphitheater was used for gladiator sports.
A massive Altar carved out of the natural limestone (about 200 m long by about 23 m wide) was used for sacrificial purposes. Evidently they would sacrifice up to 100 oxen at one time. In former times columns rose from the base and it probably had a roof. It would have been an imposing sight for those arriving in the natural harbor.
Ortigia is a little island – reached by bridge – next to the modern day city of Siracusa. It can claim over 2500 years of continuity.
A temple dedicated to Apollo is one of the first sights one sees.
The only Greek temple in the world used as a church today. The Cathedral has an exceptional history: it stands on the ruins of a temple dedicated to Athena built in 480 B.C. The Doric columns are still visible – otherwise the Cathedral is built in Baroque style.
The cathedral is surrounded by magnificent Baroque palaces, it is the heart of civil and religious life in Ortigia. We even saw a lovely. Border Collie taking in the sights!
Ortigia is small and very walkable – from the center of the island it was a short distance to the water.
