Syracuse was once the most important city in the Western world - at its height it was the supreme power in Europe. It was colonised by the Corinthians in 733 BC and gradually grew, being an important trade route, and an alliance with the Greeks at Akragas (Agrigento - see my other article) and Gela, victorious over the Carthiginians in 480 BC. After much assorted history, Syracuse fell to the Romans in in 211 BC, and eventually languished.

Now, since most business has moved elsewhere and political power is located in Palermo, it is now merely a regional capital. But all this history leaves some of the most interesting and abundant monuments to be seen.

The archaeological area is located about a 20 or 30 min walk from the island of Ortygia (see my other article), and even in the unbearably hot direct sunlight, I spent a good few hours there looking at the ruins, some extremely well preserved.

Definitely worth at least a day trip, and an overnight in Ortygia would be lovely.