In ancient times, Greek temples did not only feature the pale marble and rough terracotta surface that we see today, a result of abrasion over the millennia.
They were actually decorated with bright colours obtained using cinnabar, ochre or mercury sulphide, and many other pigments already known an...
Prodigies of nature: the colours of rainwater in the Grotta dei Cordari
One of the most curious features of the Grotta dei Cordari is the unique effect created by rainwater, which penetrates from the vault through infiltrations and covers the ground, forming a thin lake of still and transparent water.
Thanks to its particular chemical composition, sometimes the rainwa...
Culinary practices and the spirit of sacrifice: mageiros
During the sacrifice, the figure of the chef (mageiros) was fundamental.
The mageiros held the role of butcher and sacrificer.
Their work involved the trade of meat, killing the victim, and preparing the food.
Of these three roles, the cook was undoubtedly the most familiar: the mageiros would...
The peaceful ponds of Pantalica are invaded by fragrant water mint, a strongly aromatic plant. It is the oldest of all the numerous species of mint.
The Romans had already discovered it and appreciated its qualities.
In that period, some sprigs of mint would be placed in sacks and jars of grain be...
A place like Ortygia, a strip of land surrounded by water, can only be associated with the smell of the sea.
An aroma of freshness intoxicates the nose of those who come to this land, mixed with the odours of salt, seaweed and fish.
Essences that evoke strong feelings and abstract ideas of travel,...
The smell generally associated with cemeteries is a combination of an acrid, stale smell and the tenacious and insistent scent of flowers.
However, though cemeteries now stand in the open air, when travelling back in time to the ancient underground burials of Syracuse, we must imagine environments...
Building materials, technical and artisan resources
Visitors to the remains of ancient Greek Syracuse will be impressed by the enormous amount of stone used to build the city.
Syracuse, like most of south-eastern Sicily, is rich in large strata of white limestone.
This material was widely used for civic, religious and military constructions. For ...
As you walk through Neapolis, your nostrils will fill with the intense, pungent scent of oregano, one of the most popular aromatic plants in the park.
A very rare species of oregano called Origanum onites (Greek oregano) grows on the mountain relief of the Temenite Hill.
The name of this plant c...
Theatre acoustics, sound propagation and the thunder machine
The secret of acoustics in Greek theatres can be traced back to their semi-circular shape, which helps to "hold" sound. Great importance is also attributed to the steps and their slope: the stone suitably inclined structures act like acoustic filters.
Thanks to the stone steps, it was possible to r...
Among the waters of the Arethusa spring, you can spot the papyrus plant (Cyperus papyrus): an aquatic plant imported from Egypt.
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Papyrus plants are formed of tall, stiff stalks, whose stem appears very hard and woody to the touch.
Inflorescences with a radius from ...
MiC – Ministero della Cultura
Legge 77/2006 - Misure Speciali di Tutela e Fruizione dei Siti Italiani di Interesse Culturale, Paesaggistico e Ambientale, inseriti nella “Lista Del Patrimonio Mondiale”, posti sotto la Tutela dell’ UNESCO Regione Siciliana.
Assessorato dei Beni Culturali e dell’Identità Siciliana, Dipartimento dei Beni Culturali e dell’Identità Siciliana.
Parco archeologico della Valle dei Templi di Agrigento.
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