Syracuse and Surroundings
That part of the island centered in Syracuse is defined East Sicily, as if it were set against the West Sicily, marked by the Arabian domination. The question does not turn on the historical origins of the town (the rival of Athens and Rome, eventually defeated despite the great contribute of the genial Archimedes). The myth is quite at home here. Syracuse sparkles with its two jewels: Neapolis, the Greek town, which is an archeological district nowadays, and the island of Ortygia, which has probably maintained the outstanding stratification of cultures marking the history of the island in its road network more than any other towns.
The visitors will be probably so allured by the dreamy atmosphere surrounding the maze of streets and architectural structures influenced in turn by Greek, Byzantine, Norman and Baroque art, that they will leave half-heartedly lest they neglected even the smallest detail in a lane, a workshop or a palazzo. That will surely lead to a further tour in the town, perhaps in order to admire once again the lateral perimeter of the Dome, and memorize the wonder of this Baroque structure, incorporating the core of a Greek temple besides 3000 years of Mediterranean culture.
But the wonders of Syracuse are not finished yet! The surroundings of the town will charm the visitors as well. To visit the Ibleo tableland means to discover a range of new flavors, ancient traditions and interesting towns as Ferla, Buscemi, Palazzolo Acreide and the nearby necropolis of Pantalica marked by thousands of rock-hewn tunnels. Further on the coast and the seaside.
The ideal conclusion to the journey can surely be the delicious almonds from
Avola. Moreover, two unmissable adventures with the flavor of ancient times: the quarries of Pantalica in the prehistoric Sicily and the canyons of
Cavagrande. And if you are a romantic and poetic soul, you will surely love the sunset in
Plemmirio, where you can hear the sea breathing.
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