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Syracuse is an Italian city on the eastern coast of Sicily and the capital of the province of Syracuse. Once described by Cicero as "the greatest Greek city and the most beautiful of them all", the ancient core of Syracuse is part of the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Attractions

Ancient buildings

• The Temple of Apollo
• The Fountain of Arethusa, in the Ortygia island.
• The Theatre, whose cavea is one of the largest ever built by the ancient Greeks. Near the theatre are the latomìe, 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.
• The so-called Tomb of Archimede, in the Grotticelli Nechropolis.
• The Temple of Olympian Zeus, about 3 km outside the city, built around 6th century BC.

Churches

• The Cathedral was built by bishop Zosimo in the 7th century over the great Temple of Athens (5th century BC), on the Ortygia island
• Basilica of Santa Lucia extra Moenia.
• Church of San Paolo (18th century).
• Church of San Cristoforo (14th century, rebuilt in the 18th century).
• Church of Santa Lucìa alla Badìa.
• Church of Santa Maria dei Miracoli (13th century).
• Church of the Spirito Santo (18th century).
• Church of the Jesuite College, a majestic, Baroque building.
• Church of St. Benedict (16th century, restored after 1693).
• Chiesa della Concezione (14th century, rebuilt in the 18th century), with the annexed Benedictine convent.
• Church of San Francesco all'Immacolata
• Basilica of St. John the Evangelist, built by the Normans and destroyed in 1693.
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• Other edifices and sights

• The Castello Maniace, constructed between 1232 and 1240
• The important Archaeological Museum
• Palazzo Lanza Buccheri (16th century).
• Palazzo Mergulese-Montalto (14th century
• The Archbishop's Palace (17th century, modified in the following century
• The Palazzo Vermexio
• Palazzo Francica Nava, with parts of the original 16th century building surviving.
• Palazzo Beneventano del Bosco
• 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 nine kilometres outside the city by Dionysius the Elder