The sites of
Secret Siracusa
Syracuse, a Journey through Art, Faith and Memory.
Syracuse speaks through its white stones, witnesses to a millennia-old history. From Greek greatness to Christian roots, from the elegance of Baroque to secrets hidden among the alleys of Ortigia. A journey where history, art and spirituality merge into a single, fascinating narrative.
CATHEDRAL OF SYRACUSE
From Greek Temple to Baroque Christian Cathedral
The Cathedral of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, better known as the Cathedral of Syracuse, is the historical and spiritual heart of the city, nestled in the magnificent Piazza Duomo in the heart of Ortigia. With more than 2,500 years of history, it is a unique monument that blends eras, cultures, and architectural styles, bearing witness to the passage of the greatest civilizations of the Mediterranean.
Inside, artistic masterpieces such as the Madonna della Neve by Antonello Gagini and the precious silver statue of Saint Lucy, the city’s beloved patron saint, make this place a symbol of devotion and timeless beauty.
A place where history, art, and spirituality come together in a unique and unforgettable experience.
Catacomb of San Giovanni
A journey beneath
the city into the heart of Syracusan Christianity
Immersed in the evocative Monumental Complex of San Giovanni, the Catacomb of San Giovanni is one of the largest and most fascinating in Sicily. An underground labyrinth of arcosolia, cubicles and early Christian frescoes that recount the birth of Christianity in Syracuse.
Above it stands the spectacular open-air Basilica of San Giovanni Evangelista, offering a unique and timeless atmosphere. Beneath the basilica lies the Crypt of San Marcian, burial place of the city’s first bishop, shrouded in an aura of mystery and spirituality.
A place of history, faith and fascination that transports visitors back through the centuries.
Catacomb of santa Lucia
The Places of Worship of Saint Lucia
The Catacomb of Santa Lucia, deeply dear to the people of Syracuse, is the place where the patron saint was buried after her martyrdom. Above it rises the Basilica Sanctuary of Santa Lucia al Sepolcro, built to mark the exact place of her death.
Her sepulchre, created by incorporating the original tomb, cut through part of the catacomb, allowing the faithful to venerate the body of the martyr. This extraordinary complex is a symbol of centuries-old devotion to Saint Lucia, bearing witness to the unbreakable bond between the city and its heavenly protectress.
Secreta Palatii
A Journey through History and Culture inside the Archbishop’s Palace
This itinerary leads to the discovery of the Swabian Chapel, with its ribbed vaults from the Frederician period, and the evocative Episcopal Prison, with its 17th-century cells.
The visit culminates in the Alagonian Library, with its splendid wooden hall. The charm of great historic libraries evokes the elegance and solemnity of ancient places of knowledge.
Church of San Nicolò Dei Cordari
A Norman Treasure
Built in the 11th century on the remains of a Byzantine church and the Roman Pool, the Church of San Nicolò dei Cordari is a rare example of Norman architecture in Syracuse. An ancient place of worship for the guild of rope makers, it hosted in 1092 the funeral of Count Jordan, son of Roger I of Hauteville.
For centuries, it played a central role in Syracusan tradition, linked to Holy Thursday pilgrimages and popular rites in the nearby Latomia del Paradiso.
Archaeological Park of Neapolis
The Ancient Pearl
of Syracuse
The Park is the beating heart of ancient Syracuse. Stretching between nature and millennia-old remains, it preserves the main monuments of the ancient city, including the majestic Greek Theatre, the Roman Amphitheatre and the imposing Altar of Hieron II. The famous Latomiae of Paradise, with the legendary Ear of Dionysius, is complete in an extraordinary journey through history, among rites, spectacles and myths of Magna Graecia.
Today, the Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and an unmissable stop for anyone wishing to immerse themselves in the cultural and archaeological heritage of Syracuse.