Explore Siracusa best sights and visit the hidden places of Ortygia!

The secrets of Ortygia

Description

Visit Siracusa and discover unusual sites of one of the most interesting and beautiful cities in Sicily. Discover the hidden secrets of the ancient Ortygia and its historical center surrounded by the sea, enjoying the entire experience with a local guide. Ortygia is the historical heart of the city of Siracusa. Within its area of one square kilometer it is possible to admire the architectural beauties of different historical periods: from the first prehistoric settlements, through the numerous remains of ancient Greek, Byzantine, Arab and baroque styles. One of this tour peculiarity is that you’ll visit a part of Siracusa that is unknown at the mass, outside the usual tourist circuits, and full of interesting “hidden” sites. So, are you ready to discover the secrets of Ortygia?

Program

Your 3-hour visit of Siracusa starts from the Temple of Apollo, one of the oldest Doric temples of the Magna Graecia (Great Greece). Walking along the ancient Greek main road, which today houses characteristic artisan boutiques, you will reach the cathedral of St. Lucy. UNESCO-listed since 2005, the beauty of the cathedral predominates this square. The charming Baroque facade and its structure hold one of the most important and famous Doric monument in all Sicily, the Temple of Athena. Strolling through the alleys of the Jewish Quarter, you’ll discover hidden places out of the classic tourist routes: first of all, you’ll visit the three levels underground of San Filippo Church. An ancient hypogeum (catacombs) of the Capuchin Friars (a subterranean area full of history and tradition, consisting of a labyrinth of tunnels which were primarily used as aqueduct by the Greeks and Romans and then used, during World War II, as shelter) and a greek water well, re-used by the Jewish community as a purification bath. Once out of the San Filippo church, Ortygia will provide you with one final surprise with the “Mikveh”: discovered 25 years ago and dug into the rock at 18 meters’ depth to find the source of pure water, it is one of the biggest and oldest ritual bath in Europe.

What is included

Authorized tourist guide, insurance, entrance fees to monuments and places of interest

what is not included

All our guided tours are in exclusive: a professional guide will be only with you and nobody else will be able to book the same tour in the same day.

duration

3 h

Meeting Point

Apollo Temple

availability

All the year

Price

Up to 2-3 People: 220€
Up to 4-5 People: 280€
Up to 6-8 People: 340€

Meeting Point