October 3, 2015 – Sicily – Siracusa and Ortigia

As we left the front door of the hotel, there in all its glory was Mount Etna. Yesterday we saw a bit of it from the amphitheater, but most was covered in cloud. Today however we got a glorious view of the majestic mountain which we are to climb tomorrow. Hopefully the weather will cooperate and we will get as nice a day as today. 

Siracusa 733 BC founded by Archia people from Corinth. They settled in Ortigia island (a part of the city of Siracusa) linked by 3 bridges. There are 2 harbors –  Porto Grande very deep during the Greek times and Porto Chico. In 7&6 c BC the settlers conquered most of the valley now known as valley of Noto. Then there was a long time of dictators / Tyrants. First Gellen (Inhumanity family from Jedda). Siracusa was pentaprism as it was formed by 5 towns. Eschelus visited Ortigia during this time and wrote a Greek Tragedy during this time. He spent his last days here. 

Other tyrants – Heron I & II then in 415 BC Greeks sent fleet to conquer the colony / City / State. This was from Athens (as oposed to Corinth or Sparta). A 2 year siege ensued and the locals were able to defeat the Athenian fleet. They took 7000 prisoners to the stone quarry for 70 days. Many died then others sold as slaves. The tyrant period continued under Dionesius I who built more walls and fortifications as well as another castle of Aurelio.

Dionesius II succeeded him then in 212BC the Romans conquer Siracusa  and remained there through the collapse of Rome in 436AD.

After the Roman Empire there various people as well as Byzantium & in 827 Arabs conquered for 2 centuries then Christianity returns and the Spaniards ruled.

1592 – Earthquake damaged Siracusa. 1693 – Earthquake destroyed most of the towns in Sourheast Sicily. It was Rebuilt in the 1700’s – Late Baroque architecture.

Siracusa heavily bombed during WW2 and it was where the British troops landed during the war. Siracusa is a UNESCO world heritage site.

A 287 BC there were other famous people who lived or were from Siracusa. This was where Archimedes was Born. He went to Alexandria to study and returned and was where he discovered – Buyoancy and diameter of earth and the Invention of the lever to lift things. Also mirrors to converge the Suns rays to set boats on fire in the Harbour.

Greek Philosopher Plato lived in Siracusa during the Tyrant time. It was here where he wrote about the creation of a Republic. He was then sent back to Greece. 

During the 1608 Rennissamce time Caravagio, the painter lived in Siracusa. He did the Burial of St. Lucy painting Carvaggio – 282 AD born) behind alter in main church. She is the patron Saint of Siracusa.

We first of all took a 1 hour boat tour all around the Harbour seeing not only the Siracusa town but also the connecting bridges to the area of town known as Ortigia with its cathedrals and forts.  In the bay there is an area dedicated to farming of mussels. After the boat ride we wandered along the Via Cavour / Via Saverio Landolina to the Plazza Duomo where the main Cathederal is located. Next to the Cathederal is the civil registry office where a bride and groom were coming out and setting off in their vehicle. We decided not to stop as we wanted to visit the Regional Gallery of Bellomo Palace before it close at 1PM. We then went down the  Via G.M. Capodieci to the Aretusa Fresh water source (where Lord Nelson got his fresh water for his fleet before going off to war) and stopped for lunch at a cafe by the waterside. 

After a nice lunch we went to the Church of St. Lucy (with its painting of St. Lucy being tortured and eventually beheaded) and then to the Cathederal which used to be the temple of Minerva and has various Greek, Roman, Muslim, Jewish and Christian parts. 

A wander along the shopping street Via Roma ensued going past the Archimedese fountain and onto the Via Corso Matteotti back to the meeting point at the Temple of Appolo. A fun filled day, with lots more to see.

Back on the motorway past Catania to the hotel for dinner.