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SYRACUSE
Syracuse is an Italian city on the eastern coast of Sicily. This beautiful city has got two famous rivers, the Ciane and the Ananapo. So many legends are associated to this city, some of which says that it was once the arch rival of Athens.
The places to be visit when in Syracuse are listed below:
Island of Ortygia - This is the oldest part of Syracuse. Just walk around this charming place and discover the special noticeable lanes. These lanes will offer you the best of the museums and historical buildings.
Via delle Maestranze - This is a road that crosses right through the Isle of Ortigia, starting from Piazza Archimede and going as far as the sea. Watch the sight of wonderful palaces that borders this road. These palaces once belonged to the Syracuse aristocracy.
Piazza Archimede - This square is surrounded by palaces. These palaces dictate the city's history, from the middles ages up to the present day. Also enjoy the sight of "The fountain of Diana" which is in the center of the square. This fountain tells the legend of the nymph Aretusa.
Aretusa Fountain - This is one of the city's greatest tourist attractions. Many eminent poets and writers such as Virgil and Ovid, André Gide and Gabriele D'Annunzio, have been greatly influenced by his fountain. The legends associated with it are the reason for pulling the attraction of people towards it. The story goes that Alpheus, son of Oceanus; fell madly in love with the nymph Aretusa, the Goddess Artemides' handmaid. The nymph did not share his feelings. To save her, Artemides turned her into a water source but Zeus also turned Alpheus into a river, allowing him to meet up with Aretusa.
Neapolis Archeological Park - This park covers about 240,000 square meters of land. It has got a large number of Greek and Roman monuments inside it. These monuments include the Roman amphitheater, the Greek Theater, the Altar of Hieron and the Latomia del Paradiso.