Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The museum houses a traditional stable, bedroom and living quarters. Only 10 people
are allowed in at a time, and a custodian will escort you. Ring the doorbell to gain admis-
sion.
ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE
Akrai
( 0931 88 14 99; Colle dell'Acromonte; admission €4; 9am-7pm Mon-Sat, 9am-5pm Sun Apr-Oct, 9am-4pm
Mon-Sat Nov-Mar)
A 20-minute uphill walk from Piazza del Popolo, the archaeological park
of Akrai is one of the area's best-kept secrets. The city of Akrai, Syracuse's first inland
colony, was established to defend the overland trading route to other Greek settlements.
Nowadays, its ruins are an evocative sight, even if the lack of explanatory signs means
that you're often not sure what you're looking at.
The most impressive (and obvious) ruin is the
Greek theatre
, built at the end of the 3rd
century BC but later altered by the Romans. A perfect semi-circle, it once had a capacity
of 600. Behind the theatre are two
latomie
(quarries), which were later converted into
Christian burial chambers. The larger of the two, the
Intagliata
, has catacombs and altars
cut into its sides, while the narrower one, the Intagliatella, has a wonderful relief of a large
banquet cut into the rock face.
South of the archaeological zone are a series of 3rd-century-BC stone sculptures known
as the Santoni (Holy Men). It's a 15-minute walk down to the statues, but you'll need to
go with a guide as the area around the statues is closed to the general public.
Eating
Pasticceria Caprice
( 093 188 28 46; Corso Vittorio Emanuele 21; snacks from €1.50; daily)
This popular cafe-cum-cake
shop is a great spot for a quick bite of lunch or a mid-afternoon pick-me-up. There's a
daily selection of pastas and simple meat dishes, which you can follow up with something
from the tempting display of cakes, biscuits and ice cream. Seating is in a grand back
room with vaulted ceiling and chandeliers or on a thin streetside terrace.
PASTRIES & CAKES
€
SICILIAN
€€
Il Portico
( 093 188 15 32; Via Orologio 6; pizzas from €4, meals €25, tasting menus €35-45; Wed-Mon)
Just back
from Via Carlo Alberto, this formal little restaurant has swagged rose curtains, high-
backed chairs and florid painted ceilings. The food focuses on local Iblean mountain
dishes, so expect plenty of grilled meats, mushrooms and cheeses. Typical of the house
