Guide to Siracusa

'A rival to Rome and Athens in its heyday, modern Siracuse has lost its status, but none of its pride.'

These days its namesake in New York is probably more famous, but in ancient times the Sicilian metropolis of Siracuse was one of the world's most important cities. If you're into history, a visit to the Paolo Orsi Museum is a must. Not only is it one of the best archaeological museums in Southern Italy. The stunning hexagonal building, a triumph of modern architecture, also displays the artefacts brilliantly. As for Siracuse's main sightseeing attractions, these are mostly on the island of Ortygia, also called the 'Citta Vecchia' or 'Old City' and reached via the Ponte Nuova. As well as checking out the freshwater Spring of Arethusa and the other famous sights, make sure you spare the time to sit for a while in the Piazza del Duomo and just enjoy the view. This is one of the most gorgeous squares in the whole of Italy, particularly when the setting sun silhouettes the magnificent facade of the cathedral. Other 'must see' sights include the amazing Greek theatre with 67 rows of seats, the Roman amphitheatre, partially carved from rock, and the Palazzo Bellomo, which houses the Museo Regionale di Arte Mediovale e Moderna. The Palazzo's superb collection includes The Burial of St Lucia by the 'divine' Caravaggio, known as the 'master of light'. After all this, if you've had your fill of history and are pining for some no-brainer beach life, there are several good stretches of sand close at hand. As for Syracuse by night, it's not exactly what you'd call 'buzzing', but there are enough lively bars and discos to satisfy everyone but the most ardent clubbers.

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