The Archaeological
Park of Neapolis
The Archaeological Park of Neapolis
The Archaeological Park of Neapolis is one of the most important archaeological areas in Sicily and the Mediterranean, a place where nature and history intertwine.
This vast complex preserves the remains of the great civilizations that inhabited Syracuse, from Magna Graecia to the Roman period.
Within the park are some of the most famous monuments of the ancient city, together with the evocative latomiae, ancient stone quarries used since Greek times. Among the most significant sites is the Greek Theatre, built in the 5th century BC and enlarged in the 3rd century BC under Hieron II. Entirely carved into the rock of the Temenite Hill, it is one of the largest theatres in the Greek world and is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Even today it hosts classical performances, keeping the Syracusan theatrical tradition alive.
Adjacent to the site stands the Roman Amphitheatre, built between the 1st and 3rd centuries AD and used for gladiatorial contests and animal fights. Nearby lies the Altar of Hieron II, an impressive sacrificial altar dedicated to Zeus, where public religious ceremonies were held. The picturesque Latomies of Paradiso and Santa Venera, set amidst lush vegetation, are home to several famous caves, including the Ear of Dionysius, renowned for its extraordinary acoustics, and the Cave of the Rope Makers, which was used for centuries by craftsmen for rope production. The Neapolis Archaeological Park offers a unique testimony to Syracuse’s glorious past, guiding visitors through the remains of one of the greatest cities of Magna Graecia.
THE GREEK THEATRE OF SYRACUSE
The Greek Theatre is the heart of the Archaeological Park of Neapolis and one of the largest and most important theatres of the ancient world.
Entirely carved into the rock of the Temenite Hill, the theatre dates back to the 5th century BC but took on its present form in the 3rd century BC under the reign of Hieron II. Its monumental cavea, with 67 rows of seats divided into nine sectors, could accommodate thousands of spectators. Here the great tragedies of Aeschylus were performed, who presented some of his most famous works, such as The Aetnaeans and The Persians. The theatre was not only a place of entertainment, but also a political and religious space, hosting assemblies and celebrations in honor of Zeus and Dionysus. Inscriptions carved on the rock testify to the central role of the theatre in the life of the city. During the Roman period it underwent transformations to adapt it to more violent spectacles, such as gladiatorial combats and naumachiae. Today, the Greek Theatre is part of the UNESCO heritage and continues to live through the classical performances of the National Institute of Ancient Drama (INDA), restoring to the public the timeless charm of ancient Greek tragedy.
THE LATOMIAE AND THE EAR OF DIONYSIUS
The Latomiae are ancient stone quarries already used in Greek times for the extraction of limestone, employed in the construction of Syracuse’s great monuments.
Over time, these vast cavities became natural prisons, where the Syracusans confined prisoners of war, including the Athenian soldiers defeated during the famous expedition of 413 BC. The most famous of these quarries is the Ear of Dionysius, an artificial cave about 23 meters high, carved into the rock and renowned for its extraordinary acoustics. The name was given by Caravaggio in 1608, inspired by the legend according to which Dionysius I of Syracuse imprisoned his captives inside the cave in order to overhear their conversations thanks to the exceptional amplification of sound. Today, the Ear of Dionysius is one of the most evocative places in the park, surrounded by lush vegetation that makes the experience even more fascinating.
THE ROMAN AMPHITHEATRE
The Altar of Hieron II is a gigantic, monumental altar built in the 3rd century BC in honor of Zeus Eleutherios, the god of freedom.
Dating between the 1st and 3rd centuries AD, the Roman Amphitheatre was used for gladiatorial games and hunts involving exotic animals, typical of the imperial age. Its structure, entirely carved into the rock, features an elliptical cavea with a central arena, at the center of which lies a rectangular pit, probably used for stage machinery and water drainage. The amphitheater could accommodate thousands of spectators and represented a place of mass entertainment linked to the imperial cult. Inscriptions dedicated to emperors, including Septimius Severus, were once present on the seating, testifying the strong bond between Syracuse and Rome. Today, although partially deteriorated over time, the amphitheater still retains its charm and recounts an important chapter in the city’s history.
THE ALTAR OF HIERON II
The Altar of Hieron II is a gigantic, monumental altar built in the 3rd century BC in honor of Zeus Eleutherios, the god of freedom.
It is the largest altar of ancient Greece, measuring 198 meters in length and 22 meters in width, and was used for public sacrifices. According to ancient sources, hundreds of bulls were sacrificed here simultaneously in solemn ceremonies involving the entire city. Today, only the base of the altar remains, as the upper structures were dismantled by the Spanish in the 16th century to reuse the stone as building material. Nevertheless, its imposing scale is still evident and represents one of the most significant testimonies to the greatness of Hellenistic Syracuse.
USEFUL INFO
Location:
Archaeological Park of Neapolis, Syracuse.
Ticket Office Opening Hours:
Available services:
- Entrance fee;
- Mandatory guided tour in Italian/English by reservation, VR experience included in the visit;
- Easy entrance for disabled people
Contacts
info@secretsiracusa.it
For general information
+39 093164694
Mon–Sun 9:30 am – 12:30 pm / 2:30 pm – 5:30 pm
For groups and agencies
+39 09311561472
Mon–Fri 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
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