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Ortygia

The island of Ortygia is the historic centre of the city of Syracuse, full of narrow winding alleyways, crumbling buildings and elegant Baroque palaces and churches. A favourite with history buffs and architecture lovers, Ortygia is joined to the mainland by three bridges and is packed with fascinating sights.

Finding Accommodation on the Island of Ortygia

The island has many places to stay, ranging from budget B&Bs to intimate mid-range accommodation and large, elegant five-star hotels. Everything here lies within easy walking distance, too, so you’ll never have to venture far from your hotel before you come across an ancient site or charming piazza lined with cafes.

Discovering Ancient Sites in Ortygia

At the heart of Ortygia lies the Piazza del Duomo, an immaculate square that is home to Syracuse’s impressive Baroque cathedral, one of its most celebrated sights. The Church of Santa Lucia alla Badia and the town hall are also in the square and the street tables of the café opposite the cathedral offer the perfect spot for a glass of wine or espresso and some people watching.

Another of Ortygia’s main sights is the Greek Temple of Apollo, which dates back to the sixth century BC. It’s the oldest known Doric temple in Western Europe, and while today it lies mostly in ruins, there are still many parts left to explore, including its stairs and Doric columns.

Stroll along the Foro Vittorio Emanuele II walkway next to the harbour to see more of Ortygia’s graceful Baroque architecture. Walk along far enough, right to the tip of the island, and you’ll find the Castello Maniace, a citadel built between 1232 and 1240 during the reign of the Roman Emperor Frederick II. It’s an impressive structure which remains largely intact and offers spectacular sea views.

The History of Ortygia

To learn more about the history of the island, head back across the bridge to the main city of Syracuse. Here you’ll find the Museo Archeologico Regionale Paolo Orsi, which is one of the most important in the area. It details the history of Syracuse and Ortygia and also displays many of the objects found in nearby archaeological sites such as Neapolis and Akrai.