Archaeological Tour and Ortigia All inclusive - Syracuse

Let's start with the testimonies of the ancient history of Syracuse by visiting the Greek Theater and the Roman Amphitheater, which date back respectively to 2,500 and 2000 years ago. Another ancient and very fascinating wonder is the Ear of Dionysius, a suggestive name given to an artificial cave with incredible acoustics. It is said that the tyrant Dionysius locked the prisoners there and then listened to their speeches without being seen thanks to the acoustics of the place. Another ancient artificial cave is the so-called Cordari cave, where ropes were made. The interior is now covered with moss and maidenhair fern which gives the place a fairytale look.

The second stop will be the Temple of Apollo, one of the oldest in all of Sicily, built in the 6th century BC. Greek temple, Arab mosque, Norman building: find out what all its functions have been throughout history. Continuing the tour of Ortigia you will discover the myth of Arethusa. Legend has it that the god Alphaeus, son of Oceanus, had fallen in love with the nymph Arethusa after spying on her while bathing naked. Arethusa did not return the sentiment of Alphaeus and ran away from Artemis, asking her to save her. Artemis transformed the nymph into a source, to the great pain of Alphaeus. Zeus, the king of the gods, moved by his pain, turned Alphaeus into a river that flowed into the Arethusa spring. To remind us of this myth, with its statues, today in Ortigia there is the Diana Fountain, located in Piazza Archimede. But also a body of water called Fonte di Aretusa, a magical place suspended between reality and legend with a fairy-tale background.