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Historic neighborhood · Siracusa, Sicília
Ortigia
The island where Siracusa was founded, with narrow streets, Baroque palaces, the Temple of Apollo, the street market, the seafront and the Castello Maniace at the tip.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Ortigia
Ortigia is an island of about 1 km², separated from the mainland by a narrow channel and connected to it by bridges. It was there that the Greeks from Corinth founded Siracusa around 734 BC, and for centuries the island concentrated the city's power.
Just after the bridges is the Temple of Apollo, from the 6th century BC, the oldest Doric temple in Sicily. What remains are the base, parts of columns and a wall; the temple was later a church, mosque and barracks. Nearby, in the morning, the Ortigia market operates, selling fish, fruit, cheeses and spices.
The narrow streets lead to the Piazza Duomo, the Piazza Archimede, with its Fountain of Diana, and the old Jewish quarter, the Giudecca. The island's seafront, with the Lungomare di Levante on one side and the Foro Italico on the other, is the place for an evening stroll.
At the southern tip stands the Castello Maniace, a fortress built in the 13th century by Frederico II. Siracusa and the Necrópole de Pantalica have been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2005.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
Half a day to walk around the island unhurried; more time if you enter the Duomo and the museums.
Best time
In the morning, to see the market, which runs Monday to Saturday until lunchtime, and in the late afternoon, for a walk along the seafront.
How to get there
On foot from Siracusa station in about 20 minutes, crossing the Ponte Umbertino. Urban buses and small electric vehicles run between the station and the island.
Tip
Leave the car in the parking lots at the entrance to the island because of the ZTL. Do the market on the first morning, before lunch. Check before you go whether the Castello Maniace is open to visitors.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Ortigia
Is Ortigia really an island?
Yes. It is separated from the mainland by a narrow channel and linked to it by bridges.
When is the Ortigia market open?
In the morning, Monday to Saturday, near the Templo de Apolo. It starts to pack up around lunchtime.
Can you enter the Templo de Apolo?
No. The ruins are fenced off and are viewed from outside, from the surrounding square.
Is it worth staying overnight in Ortigia?
Yes, for those who want everything within walking distance and the island at night. Outside the island prices are usually lower, and the Neapolis is closer.