La Sicilia it is undoubtedly one of the most fascinating regions of the beautiful country. His land has witnessed the passage of all the greatest civilizations of the past: from the Greeks to the Spaniards, passing through Arabs and Romans. The result is cities of inestimable artistic value which, combined with the natural beauty of the island, make Sicily a place to visit without hesitation. And among the must-see places it is impossible not to mention SIRACUSA and its Ortigia, considered a real pearl on the Mediterranean.
The history of Ortigia
The island of Ortigia is the oldest part of the city of Syracuse. Its name derives from the Greek and means quail (or quail island), name chosen by the Greeks themselves for the presence of these small birds.
Initially it was inhabited by the Sicilians, but with the arrival of the Hellenic peoples Ortigia passed under domination Greek. Its strategic position made it coveted by all the great civilizations of the Mediterranean, including the Romans who conquered it in the third century BC. However, the siege was by no means simple, thanks above all to the ingenious war machines of Archimedes. The symbol of that battle are in fact the famous burning mirrors positioned along the harbor and capable of burning entire ships in minutes.
After the Romans, Byzantines, Arabs, Austrians and Spaniards followed one another. The latter made Ortigia a small jewel of the Baroque, with the creation of numerous large monumental works. Among all, it is impossible not to mention the Syracuse Cathedral, built on the remains of the Greek temple dedicated to Minerva (or Athena). In the seventeenth century the city also hosted Caravaggio, , escaping from the prison of Valletta, in Malta. Here he made the Burial of Saint Lucia, still kept today in the church of the same name.
Get inspired
There are numerous beauties to be admired on the island of Ortigia. The entire urban core in 2002 was recognized as World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The many churches and palaces, clearly Baroque in style, make every street, every little street, an artistic experience of absolute value. There Arethusa source it is definitely a must. This is a source of fresh water where various papyrus plants grow spontaneously. Its fauna also includes several ducks that have become a symbol of the city. The source is in fact known, in popular culture, also as fountain of the ducks.
La Piazza del Duomo it is perhaps the best known and most popular meeting place in Ortigia. In addition to the aforementioned cathedral, the Church of Santa Lucia alla Badia, where the famous painting by Caravaggio is kept. A few meters away is also the Beneventano del Bosco Palace, considered one of the most beautiful buildings in the whole city.
Finally not to be missed is the Maniace Castle, located at the southern tip of the island. Made in the XNUMXth century at the request of Frederick II, is considered as one of the most important monuments of the Swabian period.
