Day 11, April 13th- We left Rugusa behind and traveled to Ortigia which is a small island known as historical centre of the city of Syracuse, Sicily. It is on the Ionian coast and known for its ancient ruins.
The Temple of Apollo is one of the most important ancient monuments of Ortigia, it has been dated to the 6th century BC.
There are still many ancient streets of Ortigia. Gargoyles appear on some of the ancient corners indicated where people were put to death for their crimes. They are called sorrow corners.
The Temple of Athena is a hexastyle peripteral Doric temple built in Syracuse in the 5th century BC. It was later covered into a church and is now the Duomo. Some columns remain of the original remaining from the temple.
Outside shot of Cathedral of the Nativity of Holy Mary, aka Duomo, aka Temple of Athen.
Inside of the Duomo the Greeks had walls where the interior arches are, but the Normans removed them to create the arches.
There is an ancient Palace across the street from the Duomo. Love the balconies and the market across the street from the Temple of Apollo is amazing.
One stall, Mary’s favority, had every kind of fresh spice and nut you can think of.
As a simple lunch Mary had a blood orange, very large and very delicious!
The Castello Maniace is a citadel and castle in Syracuse, Sicily, southern Italy. It is situated at the far point of the Ortygia island promontory, where it was constructed between 1232 and 1240 by the Emperor Frederick II.
It was windy but very sunny. These folks were enjoying the small beach.
In the city square is this statue of their favorite citizen, Archimedes, (born c. 287 bce, Syracuse, Sicily [Italy]—died 212/211 bce, Syracuse), the most famous mathematician and inventor in ancient Greece.
There were smaller fishing boats in the inner harbor.
We paid a short visit to the Catania Commonwealth Cemetery which is the last resting place for 2,135 British servicemen who died during World War II.