The Giudecca

Giudecca and fire. Cooking and the Jewish religion

In a place like Giudecca, the fire element can only be associated with cooking the food that was consumed in Jewish houses and with its meaning. The oven was a very important element for Jews and always found in a synagogue. It was built of stone, had a cylindrical shape and was small in size.
The ovens were used to bake unleavened bread, a sacred food according to Judaism.
This bread is characterised by the absence of yeast in its dough and is eaten by the community on the days of Pesach, or Passover.
Butchers were also very important in Giudecca, since Jews only eat certain foods allowed by their religion and also follow some rules when slaughtering and cooking animals.
The foods that can be eaten are defined as kosher. In addition to the selection of permitted foods, there are other rules governing cooking: for example, meat must remain separate from foods containing milk. In fact, the clear division between meat and milk forms the basis of Jewish cuisine.
According to tradition, the reason milk should not be mixed with meat is that one is a food connected to breastfeeding and symbolises life, while the other comes from a slaughtered animal and symbolises death.

Pantalica and fire. The Metal Age: objects from the culture of Pantalica

Nature in Neapolis

A journey to Pantalica

Pantalica and air. The skies of Pantalica: from hawks to bats

Ortygia and the earth element. Piazza del Duomo: discovering the origins.

The Neapolis

Neapolis and the earth element. Places of performance: the Greek theatre and the Roman amphitheatre

Giudecca and fire. Cooking and the Jewish religion

Giudecca

Neapolis and the air element. The Ear of Dionysius

Giudecca and the earth element. Between gardens and artisan workshops

The naumachiae: naval battles at the theatre

Ortygia

Neapolis and the water element. The Nymphaeum

Ortygia and fire. Archimedes and the invention of the burning mirrors

The Cathedral of Syracuse

Ortygia and the air element. The Gods of Olympus and the Temple of Apollo.

Giudecca and air. The Basilica of San Giovannello

Pantalica and water: the Myth of the Anapo River

Giudecca and water. The ritual baths: the Casa Bianca mikveh

Pantalica and the earth element

Neapolis and fire. The Altar of Hieron and the sacrificial fire

The interior of the Cathedral of Syracuse

The fountain of Diana in Piazza Archimede

Ortygia and water. The Fountain of Arethusa