Archaeological Park in Syracuse

Must for those who spend their holidays in Syracuse, the Archaeological Park is a complex of buildings dating back to Greek and Roman periods, is the place that holds more than 2,500 years of history, the heart of ancient civilizations. It is accessed from S. Nicholas Rope Makers (XI sec.), Under which lies a large swimming pool whose waters were used for the cleaning of the Roman Amphitheatre. Construction of huge elliptical amphitheater dating back to the II - IV sec. AD and the Roman arena where gladiators had their shows of strength and courage. Ara is located close to the Hiero II built (third century BC.) For public sacrifices. And 'an altar along approximately 200 meters wide and 30 and which is preserved because only the base carved in the rock, the stone blocks that made up the top were removed in the sixteenth century. and used by the Spaniards for the fort from the Castle ramparts of Manipur and the construction placed in defense of Ortigia. Continuing in the path opens to view the spectacular Greek Theatre, the most impressive monument of the western greek, carved into the rock. Its construction dates from the fifth century. BC and was used for theatrical performances or assemblies of the people. Over the centuries, the Cave was expanded by adding additional rows of bleachers, some of which were carved into the rock and the obtained large blocks of stone (also used by the Spaniards for the fortification of Syracuse). See tourist map

Following our visit to the archeological park, is accessed Latomie, the quarries from which the Greeks extracted the material necessary to meet the needs of the city expansionist. The Latomia of Paradise is the most beautiful, inside there is the "Ear of Dionysius", large grotto, spanning more than 60 meters wide, 5 to 10 and 23 meters high. Renowned as much for the majesty of the acoustics that allowed the guards at the entrance of the cave to listen to every whisper of prisoners chained inside. Not far away is the Rope Makers Cave, very wide, whose name comes from the craft workers here, until the nineteenth century, produced the ropes of hemp. The Latomia S. Venera is the place where the Greeks showed the cult of dead heroes, it is shown by the grooves votives on the walls. Turn in the 700 in gardens, now the quarries have a luxuriant vegetation; in Latomia S. Venera stands an old and very large "Ficus of the Pagodas". Complete the archaeological park with the Necropolis Grotticelle many tombs carved into the rock, one, among all, is decorated at the top of the entrance and is believed to be the tomb of Archimedes.