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 ...
The crystal clear waters of the Pantalica rivers are home to several species of animals.
Some of the rarest and most unique are the colourful dragonflies and butterflies like the Lycaena bellargus, named "azzurrine" in Italian for their characteristic cerulean blue colour.
...
Scholars and schoolchildren on trips to Syracuse pause in amazement and wonder in the cavern described by Caravaggio as the "Ear of Dionysius".
Tradition has it that the tyrant Dionysius, thanks to the extraordinary echoing between the cave walls, could hear every single word spoken by the slaves i...
In the Antiquarium located in the archaeological area of the Euryalus Fortress, there are some artefacts found during archaeological excavations in the area.
These objects tell the story of everyday life inside the immense fortress, giving voice to even the quietest spaces such as the underground ...
The songs of the troubadours: music at the Castle of King Frederick
Frederick II loved to surround himself on various and frequent occasions with instrument players and singers. His castles resounded with the ancient verses of the Sicilian poetic school and the notes of troubadour lyrical music, which flourished in Europe in the Late Middle Ages.
The troubadours s...
'Nfigghiulata means "wrapped." The puff pastry is wrapped around itself, after being stuffed, to create a very appetising loaf.
According to tradition, wild lesser calamint, oil, garlic and chilli are used as a condiment.
Sometimes cheese is added, such as ricotta, tuma and pecorino.
Blended toge...
The panoramic view from the cavea of the Greek theatre
In ancient times, the choice of the place of construction of the theater was not random.
A typical feature of the Greek theaters was indeed the enhancement of the panoramic view. Even the Theater of Syracuse should not be exempt from this custom by offering a view of the arch of the port and the is...
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.
touch 
smell 
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