Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
BEST ANCIENT SITES
» Teatro Greco ( Click here ), Syracuse - the highlight of Syracuse's ancient ruins is this dramatic Greek amphi-
theatre.
» Akrai ( Click here ), Palazzolo Acreide - walk among the grassy ruins of what was once a thriving Greek colony.
» Villa Romana del Tellaro ( Click here ), the Noto Coast - expressive mosaics depict mythical scenes at this an-
cient Roman villa.
» Megara Hyblaea (below), near Syracuse - the remnants of a 4th-century-BC city resist the encroaching on-
slaught of modern industry.
» Eloro ( Click here ) , the Noto Coast - as much as the ruins, it's the dreamy coastal setting that's the main draw.
TOP OF CHAPTER
Around Syracuse
The area around Syracuse is not always especially attractive, particularly north of town
where the coast is blighted by ugly oil refineries and heavy industry, but there are a few
sights that reward exploration.
Seven kilometres west of town in the outlying quarter of Epipolae is the Castello Eurialo (
093 171 17 73; adult/reduced €4/2; 9am-6pm daily summer, 9am-3pm Mon-Sat & 9am-1pm Sun winter) , the
stronghold of Syracuse's Greek defensive works. Built during the reign of Hieron II, it
was adapted and fortified by Archimedes and was considered impregnable. Unfortunately
for Syracuse, the castle was taken by the Romans without a fight. The views back to Syra-
cuse make it worth the trip.
If you can find them in the midst of the surrounding industrial sprawl, the ruins of an-
cient Megara Hyblaea (adult/reduced €4/2; 9am-1hr before sunset) are well worth a detour. The city,
founded in 728 BC by Greeks from Megara, prospered until 483 BC when it was razed by
the Syracuse dictator Gelon. It was then rebuilt in 340 BC only to be destroyed a second
time by the Romans in 213 BC. Most of the ruins you see today date to the 4th-century
city. You'll need your own car to get here - it's 20km north of Syracuse, signposted off
the SS114.
A popular diversion between May and September is a boat trip (per person €10) up the Ciane,
a mythical river dedicated to the nymph Ciane, who tried to thwart the abduction of
Persephone by Hades. A spring, 2km upriver, is said to have been formed by her tears.
The river habitat − a tangle of lush papyrus − is the only place outside North Africa where
 
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