Siracusa
Siracusa
 ,
founded
in the 8th Century B.C., was the leading city of Magna Graecia and
one of the most powerful and largest cities in the Mediterranean
area before the birth of Christ. Cicero described Siracusa as "The
great Greek city and the most beautiful of all." Archimedes
was born in Siracusa and lived their until his untimely death
during a battle with the Romans in the 3rd
century B.C. The strategic position and power that accrued to
the city was a dual-edged sword. The city's greatest conflict was
with Carthage (although it was also attacked by Greece) and continuous battles between the two, as well as
internal political strife, eventually weakened the city. In
the 3rd century B.C. the city-state was conquered by Rome.
Siracusa is well known
for its Neopolis Archaeological Park on Terminite Hill. The
Park contains an impressive Greek theater (photograph above) and a
less well preserved Roman theater (photograph below), as well as
other treasures.
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Towards the west of the city is the Euryalus Castle (shown below), dating from
the 5th century B.C. As a response to the frequent attacks by Carthage,
the rulers of Siracusa built fortified walls almost twenty miles in length and
added the Euryalus Castle to complete their fortification effort.
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Ortygia Island (below) is charming and deserves your time. Many gather at the Fonte
Arethusa, a freshwater pond (fountain) whose origin is linked to Greek mythology
and the story of the water nymph Arethusa. The story has attracted
attention throughout history and this is a great place to stop at one of the many cafes
and contemplate the three thousand year history of Siracusa and the Mediterranean.
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