Syracuse Archaeological Park

Syracuse was the most powerful Greek city in the west, rivaling Athens. The archaeological park preserves the Greek Theater (seating 15,000), the Roman Amphitheater, and the famous "Ear of Dionysius" cave. The tyrant Dionysius I ruled here with wine-fueled banquets that became legendary. UNESCO World Heritage site.

What to do there

4 things to do

1. 1 Find the Ear That Imprisoned 7,000 Athenians History · Price: moderate

   The Latomie cave called 'Ear of Dionysius' where Dionysius I held Athenian prisoners of war after 413 BC.

   After Athens sent 200 ships and 40,000 soldiers to conquer Syracuse in 413 BC and lost catastrophically, Dionysius I threw 7,000 survivors into these limestone quarries. Inside the Neapolis Archaeological Park, follow signs to Latomia del Paradiso — the cave entrance carved into the white cliff face. Caravaggio named it 'Orecchio di Dionisio' in 1608 because of its ear shape and extraordinary acoustics. Enter the cave, stand at the far back, and speak normally — your voice bounces off walls in genuinely unsettling ways. Look up: the 23-metre cavern narrows to a slit like an eardrum.

   Backup: Even if the inner cave is temporarily closed, the exterior and quarry walls are accessible and equally dramatic.

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2. 2 Stand Where 15,000 Greeks Watched Dionysus Plays History · Price: moderate

   The Greek Theater of Syracuse is one of the largest ancient Greek theaters in the world, carved from living rock.

   Carved from limestone cliffs in the 5th century BC, this theater seated 15,000 for festivals of Dionysus — god of wine and theater. Aeschylus staged two world premieres here: 'The Persians' (472 BC) and 'Women of Etna' (470 BC), personally traveling from Athens because tyrant Hiero I outspent Athens as a cultural patron. The theater is visible immediately from the main entrance — walk straight from the ticket gate. Climb to the topmost rows and turn around: ancient audiences saw gods and mortals framed against the horizon behind the stage action. Visit in autumn for unobstructed views of carved stone (spring/summer performances cover it with wooden seats).

   Backup: Walk the circular corridor (crypta) behind upper rows — where festival-goers drank wine and debated plays during intermission.

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3. 3 Locate the Altar Where Wine Flowed for Hiero's Victory Games History · Free

   The Altar of Hieron II is the largest sacrificial altar ever built in the ancient world - 198 metres long.

   Hiero II built the world's largest altar to celebrate Zeus Eleutherius — 450 oxen sacrificed simultaneously with wine libations to Dionysus and Zeus. At 198 metres long, it's so enormous you almost walk past it. Exit the theater and walk southeast; the altar foundation is the long rectangular platform before the Roman amphitheater. Stand at one end and walk the full length — it takes over a minute. At midpoint, look south: this orientation aligned to winter solstice sunrise. The Spanish later quarried it for building material, leaving only the foundation.

   Backup: Information panels at either end give sacrificial numbers — 450 oxen simultaneously is worth reading aloud.

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4. 4 Count the Tiers of the Roman Amphitheater Built Over Greek Graves Adventure · Free · Optional

   The Roman amphitheater in Syracuse was carved directly through ancient Greek cemeteries - the necropolis stones are still visible in its walls.

   Romans in the 1st century AD cut through the existing Greek necropolis to build this arena — you can see carved tomb recesses in arena walls where engineers ignored ancient graves. At 140 metres on its major axis, it's one of Italy's largest Roman amphitheaters. Walk the perimeter and find the service channel carved into the arena floor where animals and prisoners were held. Count the 29 tiers carved from solid rock and look for Latin inscriptions on seating blocks — wealthy Romans bought personal seats with names cut in stone.

   Backup: The access ramp on the north side gives the best sense of the arena's scale from below.

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Insider tips

• The Greek Theater still hosts performances

• The Ear of Dionysius acoustics are remarkable

• Combine with Ortigia island

• Book summer theater tickets early