5 palazzolo acreide (comenius)

Palazzolo AcreidePalazzolo Acreide

Comune

Comune di Palazzolo Acreide

Mother Church.

Coat of arms

Palazzolo Acreide (Sicilian: Palazzolu

and comune of in the Province of Syracuse

of Syracuse in the Hyblean Mountains

History

The area around Palazzolo Acreide was settled by humans since very ancient times. In the 11th

10th centuries BC, the Siculi lived here in small villages. The town occupies the site of the

ancient Akrai (Latin Acrae), founded by Syracus

controlled the paths of communication with the towns on the southern coast of the island.

According toThucydides, the Syracusans

In the treaty between the Romans and

latter. After the Roman conquest, it became a

the course of the early Christian age.

The old city was probably destroyed by the

city was built around a Normancastle, no longer extant. An

all of the city, which was slowly rebuilt in the following centuries.

Economy

The economy of Palazzolo Acreide relies mainly on

sheep.

Main sights

• Church of St. Sebastian (15th century, rebuilt after the 17th century).

• Basilica of San Paolo (18th century).

• Church of Santa Maria della Medaglia

• Church of San Michele (15th to 16th centuries, rebuilt after 1693). It is a

"minor Sicilian Baroque", with a notable belfry closed by a cupola.

Palazzolo Acreide Palazzolo Acreide

Palazzolo Acreide

Country

Region

Province

Government

• Mayor

Population (31 January 2009

• Total

• Density

Demonym

Postal code

Dialing code

Patron saint

Saint day

Palazzolu Acrèidi, in the local dialect: Palazzuolu

Province of Syracuse, Sicily (Italy). It is situated 43

Hyblean Mountains.

The area around Palazzolo Acreide was settled by humans since very ancient times. In the 11th

lived here in small villages. The town occupies the site of the

), founded by Syracuse about 664 BC. The city was important as it


Syracusans defeated the Athenians here in 413 BC.

and Hiero II of Syracuse in 263 BC it was assigned to the

latter. After the Roman conquest, it became a civitas stipendiaria, and was sti

the course of the early Christian age.

The old city was probably destroyed by the Arabs, in the first half of the 9th century. The new

castle, no longer extant. An earthquake in 1693

city, which was slowly rebuilt in the following centuries.

The economy of Palazzolo Acreide relies mainly on agriculture (cereals) and farming of cattle and

(15th century, rebuilt after the 17th century).

(18th century).

Santa Maria della Medaglia.

(15th to 16th centuries, rebuilt after 1693). It is a

", with a notable belfry closed by a cupola.

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Italy

Sicily

Syracuse (SR)

Carlo Scibetta

(31 January 2009[1])

9,086

110/km2 (270/sq mi)

Palazzolesi

96010

0931

St. Paul

June 29

Palazzuolu) is a town

). It is situated 43 km from the city

The area around Palazzolo Acreide was settled by humans since very ancient times. In the 11th-

lived here in small villages. The town occupies the site of the

BC. The city was important as it


BC.

BC it was assigned to the

, and was still prospering in

, in the first half of the 9th century. The new

earthquake in 1693 destroyed almost

(cereals) and farming of cattle and

(15th century, rebuilt after the 17th century).

(15th to 16th centuries, rebuilt after 1693). It is a typical example of

P a g e | 2

• Church of the Assunta or Immacolata (18th century). It has a convex façade and a single nave

interior, with rich decorations. It houses a statue of the Madonna, in Carrara white marble,

sculpted by Francesco Laurana in 1471-1472.

• Church of St. Anthony (18th century), unfinished, with a neo-Romanesque façade.

• The Chiesa Madre ("Mother Church"). The first document attesting its existence dates from

1215, when the church was dedicated to St. Nicholas. It was largely rebuilt and redecorated

after the earthquake of 1693, with a Neo-classicist façade. The interior is on the Latin cross

plan, with a nave and two aisles decorated with precious polychrome marbles.

• Antonino Uccello's Museum House. It houses artifacts and remains from the peasant civilization

of Sicily, including working tools, glass paintings, wax statues and others.

• Palazzo Cappellani, where the Archaeological Museum is site (currently to be opened).

• Grotto of St. Conrad, a small church carved in a cliff, on the site where the hermit Corrado

Confalonieri retired in the 14th century. Traces of mosaics and the base of the altar remain.

The Greek Theater in the ancient Akrai.

The ancient city The ancient city lies on the hill above the modern town, the approach to it being defended by

quarries, in which tombs of all periods have been discovered. The auditorium of the small theater

is well preserved, though nothing of the stage remains. Close to it are ruins of other buildings,

which bear, without justification, the names Naumachia, Odeum (perhaps a bath establishment) and

Palace of Hiero. The water supply was obtained by subterranean aqueducts. In the cliffs of the

Monte Pineta to the south are other tomb chambers, and to the south again are the curious bas-

reliefs called Santoni or Santicelli, mutilated in the 19th century by a peasant proprietor,

which appear to be sepulchral also. Near here too is the necropolis of the Acrocoro della Torre,

where many sarcophagi have been found. Five miles north lies Buscemi, near which a sacred grotto

has been discovered; and also a church cut in the rock and surrounded by a cemetery.

UNESCO World Heritage Site

Late Baroque Towns of the Val di Noto (South-Eastern

Sicily)

Name as inscribed on the World Heritage List

Country Italy

Type Cultural

Criteria i, ii, iv, v

Reference 398

UNESCO region Europe and North America

Inscription history

Inscription 2002 (20th Session)

AKRAI

A Syracuse colony, with a mainland facing expansion bridge, Akrai was founded in the 664-663

BC on a terrain already inhabited since the Stone Age. Scattered Necropolis testify to the

existence of Sicilian villages during the 10th-11th Centuries BC, which on their arrival,

the Greeks managed to control and manage thanks to

constructed on a 770 metre high hill in a dominant territorial position.

period of development and well-being, continually following the fat

Syracuse. According to Tucidide, in

finally defeated the Athenian army which was controlled from

of Gerone II (275-215 BC) that Akra

Romans in 211 and became incorporated in its dominions, where it remained until the end of

the Empire. At first it was a Decuman city (paid a tenth)

Stipendiaria (paid a wage) when it also began to mint its own currency.

Passed over to Byzantine dominium, it was then beseiged and destroyed by the

Arabs in 827 and quickly forgotten.

on the site of ancient Akrai. A

which became known as Palazzolo. Today it is known as

Monuments of great importance have been discovered and recovered: the Latomie (stone caves)

where stone was extracted for use in building temples, roads and def

well preserved theatre, which could hold up to 600 spectators, the

quadrangular Bouleuterion or Council room, the

Acrensi temples. Not too far away, you can also visit and admire the

sculptures from the 3rd century BC, the

in the natural rock.

Syracuse, Sicily Siracusa

Comune

Comune di Siracusa

Ortigia island

Coat of arms

managed to control and manage thanks to Akrai’s position, that of being

constructed on a 770 metre high hill in a dominant territorial position.

being, continually following the fate of the mother city of

According to Tucidide, in 413 BC on the outskirts of Akrai, the Syracuse people

finally defeated the Athenian army which was controlled from Nicia. It was un

) that Akrai peaked its maximum splendour. The City was taken by the

and became incorporated in its dominions, where it remained until the end of

the Empire. At first it was a Decuman city (paid a tenth) and therefore became

(paid a wage) when it also began to mint its own currency.

dominium, it was then beseiged and destroyed by the

and quickly forgotten.Only during the Norman period, was a castl

suburb then developed which was protected by a

. Today it is known as Palazzolo Acreide


where stone was extracted for use in building temples, roads and defence constructions, a

, which could hold up to 600 spectators, the

or Council room, the Ferali Temples, the Decuman

Not too far away, you can also visit and admire the Santoni

sculptures from the 3rd century BC, the Greek and the Sicilian necropolis

di Siracusa

Country

Region

Province

Government

• Mayor

Population (30 September 2011)

• Total

• Density

Demonym

Time zone

• Summer (DST)

Postal code

Dialing code

Twin cities

• Corinth

Patron saint

Saint day

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’s position, that of being

constructed on a 770 metre high hill in a dominant territorial position. The City then had a

e of the mother city of

, the Syracuse people

It was under the reign

The City was taken by the

and became incorporated in its dominions, where it remained until the end of

and therefore became Civitas

(paid a wage) when it also began to mint its own currency.

dominium, it was then beseiged and destroyed by the

period, was a castle constructed

then developed which was protected by a town wall,

Palazzolo Acreide.


ence constructions, a

, the Decuman and important

Santoni, Rupestri

Sicilian necropolis, both carved out

Italy

Sicily

Syracuse (SR)

Giancarlo Garrozzo (PD)

(30 September 2011)

123,408

600/km2 (1,600/sq mi)

Siracusani

CET (UTC+1)

CEST (UTC+2)

96100

0931

Greece

Saint Lucy

13 December

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Syracuse (Italian: Siracusa [siraˈkuːza] Sicilian: Sarausa; Latin: Syracusæ; Ancient Greek: Συράκο

υσαι, Syrakousai; medieval Greek: Συρακοῦσαι) is a historic city in Sicily, the capital of

the province of Syracuse. The city is notable for its rich Greek

history, culture, amphitheatres, architecture, and as the birthplace of the

preeminent mathematician and engineer Archimedes.[3] This 2,700-year-old city played a key role in

ancient times, when it was one of the major powers of theMediterranean world. Syracuse is located

in the southeast corner of the island of Sicily, right by the Gulf of Syracuse next to the Ionian

Sea.

The city was founded by Ancient Greek Corinthians and Teneans[4] and became a very powerful city-

state. Syracuse was allied with Sparta and Corinth, exerting influence over the entire Magna

Graecia area of which it was the most important city. Once described by Cicero as "the greatest

Greek city and the most beautiful of them all", it later became part of the Roman

Republic andByzantine Empire. After this Palermo overtook it in importance, as the capital of

the Kingdom of Sicily. Eventually the kingdom would be united with the Kingdom of Naples to form

the Two Sicilies until the Italian unification of 1860.

In the modern day, the city is listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site along with

the Necropolis of Pantalica. In the central area, the city itself has a population of around

125,000 people. The inhabitants are known as Siracusans. Syracuse is mentioned in the Bible in

the Acts of the Apostles book at 28:12 as Paul stayed there.[5] The patron saint of the city

is Saint Lucy; she was born in Syracuse and her feast day, Saint Lucy's Day, is celebrated on 13

December.

History

Greek period

Magna Graecia and List of Tyrants of Syracuse

A Syracusan tetradrachm (c. 415–405 BC), sporting Arethusa and

a quadriga.

Decadrachme from Sicile struck at Syracuse and sign

d'Évainète

The siege of Syracuse in a 17th-century engraving.

Syracuse and its surrounding area have been inhabited since ancient times, as shown by the

findings in the villages of Stentinello, Ognina, Plemmirio, Matrensa, Cozzo Pantano and Thapsos,

which already had a relationship with Mycenaean Greece.

Syracuse was founded in 734 or 733 BC by Greek settlers from Corinth and Tenea, led by

the oecist (colonizer) Archias.There are many attested variants of the name of the city

including Συράκουσαι Syrakousai, Συράκοσαι Syrakosai and Συρακώ Syrako.[2] A possible origin of

the city's name was given by Vibius Sequester citing[6] first Stephanus Byzantius[2][7] in that

there was a Syracusian marsh (λίμνη) called Syrako and secondly Marcian's Periegesis wherein

Archias gave the city the name of a nearby marsh; hence one gets Syrako (and

thereby Syrakousai and other variants) for the name of Syracuse, a name also attested

byEpicharmus.[2][8] The nucleus of the ancient city was the small island of Ortygia. The settlers

found the land fertile and the native tribes to be reasonably well-disposed to their presence.

The city grew and prospered, and for some time stood as the most powerful Greek city anywhere in

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the Mediterranean. Colonies were founded at Akrai (664 BC), Kasmenai (643 BC), Akrillai (7th

century BC), Helorus (7th century BC) and Kamarina (598 BC).

The descendants of the first colonist, called Gamoroi, held power until they were expelled by

the Killichiroi, the lower class of the city. The former, however, returned to power in 485 BC,

thanks to the help of Gelo, ruler of Gela. Gelo himself became the despot of the city, and moved

many inhabitants of Gela, Kamarina and Megera to Syracuse, building the new quarters of Tyche and

Neapolis outside the walls. His program of new constructions included a new theatre, designed

by Damocopos, which gave the city a flourishing cultural life: this in turn attracted

personalities as Aeschylus, Ario of Metimma, Eumelos of Corinth and Sappho, who had been exiled

here from Mytilene. The enlarged power of Syracuse made unavoidable the clash against

the Carthaginians, who ruled western Sicily. In the Battle of Himera, Gelo, who had allied with

Theron of Agrigento, decisively defeated the African force led by Hamilcar. A temple dedicated

to Athena (on the site of today's Cathedral), was erected in the city to commemorate the event

Gelon was succeeded by his brother Hiero, who fought against the Etruscans at Cumae in 474 BC.

His rule was eulogized by poets likeSimonides of Ceos, Bacchylides and Pindar, who visited his

court. A democratic regime was introduced by Thrasybulos (467 BC). The city continued to expand

in Sicily, fighting against the rebellious Siculi, and on the Tyrrhenian Sea, making expeditions

up to Corsica andElba. In the late 5th century BC, Syracuse found itself at war with Athens,

which sought more resources to fight the Peloponnesian War. The Syracusans enlisted the aid of a

general from Sparta, Athens' foe in the war, to defeat the Athenians, destroy their ships, and

leave them to starve on the island (see Sicilian Expedition). In 401 BC, Syracuse contributed a

force of 3,000 hoplites and a general to Cyrus the Younger's Army of the Ten Thousand.

Then in the early 4th century BC, the tyrant Dionysius the Elder was again at war

against Carthage and, although losing Gela and Camarina, kept that power from capturing the whole

of Sicily. After the end of the conflict Dionysius built a massive fortress on theOrtygia island

of the city and 22 km-long walls around all of Syracuse. Another period of expansion saw the

destruction of Naxos,Catania and Lentini, then Syracuse entered again in war against Carthage

(397 BC). After various changes of fortune, the Carthaginians managed to besiege Syracuse itself,

but were eventually pushed back by a pestilence. A treaty in 392 BC allowed Syracuse to enlarge

further its possessions, founding the cities of Adrano, Tindari and Tauromenos, and

conquering Rhegion on the continent. In the Adriatic, to facilitate trade, Dionysius the

Elder founded Ancona, Adria and Issa. Apart from his battle deeds, Dionysius was famous as a

patron of art, and Plato himself visited Syracuse several times.

His successor was Dionysius the Younger, who was however expelled by Dion in 356 BC. But the

latter's despotic rule led in turn to his expulsion, and Dionysius reclaimed his throne in 347

BC. A democratic government was installed by Timoleon in 345 BC. The long series of internal

struggles had weakened Syracuse's power on the island, and Timoleon tried to remedy this,

defeating the Carthaginians in 339 BC near the Krimisos (de) river. But the struggle among the

city's parties restarted after his death and ended with the rise of another tyrant, Agathocles,

who seized power with a coup in 317 BC. He resumed the war against Carthage, with alternate

fortunes. However he scored a moral success, bringing the war to the Carthaginians' native

African soil, inflicting heavy losses to the enemy. The war ended with another treaty of peace

which did not prevent the Carthaginians interfering in the politics of Syracuse after the death

of Agathocles (289 BC). The citizens called Pyrrhus of Epirus for help. After a brief period

under the rule of Epirus, Hiero II seized power in 275 BC.

Hiero inaugurated a period of 50 years of peace and prosperity, in which Syracuse became one of

the most renowned capitals of Antiquity. He issued the so-called Lex Hieronica, which was later

adopted by the Romans for their administration of Sicily; he also had the theatre enlarged and a

new immense altar, the "Hiero's Ara", built. Under his rule lived the most famous Syracusan, the

mathematician and natural philosopher Archimedes. Among his many inventions were various military

engines including the claw of Archimedes, later used to resist the Roman siege of 214 BC–212 BC.

Literary figures included Theocritus and others.

Hiero's successor, the young Hieronymus (ruled from 215 BC), broke the alliance with the Romans

after their defeat at the Battle of Cannae and accepted Carthage's support. The Romans, led by

consul Marcus Claudius Marcellus, besieged the city in 214 BC. The city held out for three years,

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but fell in 212 BC. The successes of the Syracusians in repelling the Roman siege had made them

overconfident. In 212 BC, the Romans received information that the city's inhabitants were to

participate in the annual festival to their goddess Artemis. A small party of Roman soldiers

approached the city under the cover of night and managed to scale the walls to get into the outer

city and with reinforcements soon took control, killing Archimedes in the process, but the main

fortress remained firm. After an eight-month siege and with parleys in progress, an Iberian

captain named Moeriscus is believed to have let the Romans in near the Fountains of Arethusa. On

the agreed signal, during a diversionary attack, he opened the gate. After setting guards on the

houses of the pro-Roman faction, Marcellus gave Syracuse to plunder.

Imperial Roman and Byzantine period

The Roman amphitheatre.

Temple of Apollo (Syracuse) (it), Piazza Pantalica,

2012

Piazza Duomo

Though declining slowly by the years, Syracuse maintained the status of capital of the Roman

government of Sicily and seat of thepraetor. It remained an important port for trade between the

Eastern and the Western parts of the Empire. Christianity spread in the city through the efforts

of Paul of Tarsus and Saint Marziano, the first bishop of the city, who made it one of the main

centres of proselytismin the West. In the age of persecutions massive catacombs were carved,

whose size is second only to those of Rome.

After a period of Vandal rule, Syracuse and the island was recovered by Belisarius for

the Byzantine Empire (31 December 535). From 663 to 668 Syracuse was the seat of Emperor Constans

II, as well as metropolis of the whole Sicilian Church.

The city was besieged by the Aghlabids for almost a year in 827–828, but Byzantine reinforcements

prevented its fall. It remained the center of Byzantine resistance to the gradual Muslim conquest

of Sicily until it fell to the Aghlabids after another siege on 20/21 May 878. During the two

centuries of Muslim rule, the capital of the Emirate of Sicily was moved from Syracuse

to Palermo. The Cathedral was converted into a mosque and the quarter on the Ortygia island was

gradually rebuilt along Islamic styles. The city, nevertheless, maintained important trade

relationships, and housed a relatively flourishing cultural and artistic life: several Arab

poets, including Ibn Hamdis, the most important Sicilian Arab poet of the 12th century,

flourished in the city.

In 1038, the Byzantine general George Maniakes reconquered the city, sending the relics of St.

Lucy to Constantinople. The eponymous castle on the cape of Ortygia bears his name, although it

was built under the Hohenstaufen rule. In 1085 the Normans entered Syracuse, one of the

last Arab strongholds, after a summer-long siege by Roger I of Sicily and his son Jordan of

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Hauteville, who was given the city as count. New quarters were built, and the cathedral was

restored, as well as other churches.

High medieval period

In 1194, Emperor Henry VI occupied the Sicilian kingdom, including Syracuse. After a short period

of Genoese rule (1205–1220) under the notorious admiral and pirate Alamanno da Costa, which

favoured a rise of trades, royal authority was re-asserted in the city byFrederick II. He began

the construction of the Castello Maniace, the Bishops' Palace and the Bellomo Palace. Frederick's

death brought a period of unrest and feudal anarchy. In the War of the Sicilian Vespers between

the Angevin and Aragonese dynastie for control of Sicily, Syracuse sided with the Aragonese and

expelled the Angevins in 1298, receiving from the Spanish sovereigns great privileges in reward.

The pre-eminence of baronal families is also shown by the construction of the palaces

of Abela, Chiaramonte, Nava, Montalto.

From the 16th century to the 20th century

The city was struck by two ruinous earthquakes in 1542 and 1693, and a plague in 1729. The 17th

century destruction changed forever the appearance of Syracuse, as well as the entire Val di

Noto, whose cities were rebuilt along the typical lines of Sicilian Baroque, considered one of

the most typical expressions of art of Southern Italy. The spread of cholera in 1837 led to a

revolt against the Bourbongovernment. The punishment was the move of the province capital seat

to Noto, but the unrest had not been totally choked, as the Siracusani took part in the Sicilian

revolution of independence of 1848.

After the Unification of Italy of 1865, Syracuse regained its status of provincial capital. In

1870 the walls were demolished and a bridge connecting the mainland to Ortygia island was built.

In the following year a railway link was constructed.

Modern history

Heavy destruction was caused by the Allied and the German bombings in 1943. Operation Husky, the

codename for the Allied invasion of Sicily, was launched on the night of 9/10 July 1943 with

British forces attacking the west of the island. General Montgomery's Eighth Army captured

Syracuse on the first day of the invasion almost unopposed. The port was then used as a base for

the Royal Navy.[9] To the west of the city is a Commonwealth War Graves cemetery where about 1,000

men are buried. After the end of World War IIthe northern quarters of Syracuse experienced a

heavy, often chaotic, expansion, favoured by the quick process of industrialization.

Syracuse today has about 125,000 inhabitants and numerous attractions for the visitor interested

in historical sites (such as the Ear of Dionysius). A process of recovering and restoring the

historical centre has been ongoing since the 1990s. Nearby places of note

include Catania, Noto, Modica and Ragusa.

Culture

Tourism Since 2005, the entire city of Syracuse, along with the Necropolis of Pantalica which falls

within the province of Syracuse, were listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. This programme

aims to catalogue, name and conserve sites of outstandingcultural or natural importance to the

common heritage of humanity. The deciding committee which evaluates potential candidates

described their reasons for choosing Syracuse because "monuments and archeological sites situated

in Syracuse are the finest example of outstanding architectural creation spanning several

cultural aspects; Greek, Roman and Baroque", following on that Ancient Syracuse was "directly

linked to events, ideas and literary works of outstanding universal significance".[13]

UNESCO World Heritage Site

Syracuse & the Rocky Necropolis of Pantalica

Name as inscribed on the World Heritage List

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Country Italy

Type Cultural

Criteria ii, iii, iv, vi

Reference 1200

UNESCO region Europe

Inscription history

Inscription 2005 (29th Session)

Buildings of the Greek period • The Temple of Apollo (Syracuse) (it), Piazza Pancali, adapted to a church in Byzantine times

and to a mosque under Arab rule.

• The Fountain of Arethusa, in the Ortygia island. According to a legend, the nymph Arethusa,

hunted by Alpheus, took shelter here.

• The Greek Theatre, whose cavea is one of the largest ever built by the ancient Greeks: it has

67 rows, divided into nine sections with eight aisles. Only traces of the scene and

the orchestra remain. The edifice (still used today) was modified by the Romans, who adapted

it to their different style of spectacles, including also circus games. Near the theatre are

thelatomìe, stone quarries, also used as prisons in ancient times. The most famous latomìa is

the Orecchio di Dionisio ("Ear of Dionysius").

• The Roman amphitheatre, of Roman Imperial age. It was partly carved out from the rock. In the

centre of the area is a rectangular space which was used for the scenic machinery.

• The so-called Tomb of Archimede, in the Grotticelli Nechropolis. Decorated with two Doric

columns, it was a Roman tomb.

• The Temple of Olympian Zeus, about 3 kilometres (2 miles) outside the city, built around 6th

century BC.

Buildings of the Christian period • The cathedral (Italian: Duomo) was built by bishop Zosimo in the 7th century over the

great Temple of Athena (5th century BC), on Ortygia island. This was a Doric edifice with six

columns on the short sides and 14 on the long ones: these can still be seen incorporated in

the walls of the current church. The base of the Greek edifice had three steps. The interior

of the church has a nave and two aisles. The roof of the nave is from Norman times, as well as

the mosaics in the apses. The façade was rebuilt by Andrea Palma in 1725–1753, with a double

order of Corinthian columns, and statues by Ignazio Marabitti. The most interesting pieces of

the interior are a font with marble basin (12th–13th century), a silver statue of St. Lucy by

Pietro Rizzo (1599), a ciborium by Luigi Vanvitelli, and a statue of the Madonna della

Neve ("Madonna of the Snow", 1512) by Antonello Gagini.

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• Basilica of Santa Lucia extra Moenia, a Byzantine church built, according to tradition, in the

same place of the martyrdom of the saint in 303 AD. The current appearance is from the 15th-

16th centuries. The most ancient parts still preserved include the portal, the three half-

circular apses and the first two orders of the belfry. Under the church are theCatacombs of

St. Lucy. For this church Caravaggio painted the Burial of St. Lucy, now housed in the Church

of Santa Lucìa alla Badìa.

• Our Lady of Tears Shrine (20th century).

• Church of San Paolo (18th century).

• Church of San Cristoforo (14th century, rebuilt in the 18th century).

• Church of Santa Lucìa alla Badìa, a Baroque edifice built after the 1693 earthquake. It houses

the Burial of St. Lucy by Caravaggio

• Church of Santa Maria dei Miracoli (13th century).

• Church of the Spirito Santo (18th century).

• Church of the Jesuit College, a majestic, Baroque building.

• Church of St. Benedict (16th century, restored after 1693). It houses a painting of the Death

of Saint Benedict by the Caravaggisti Mario Minniti.

• Chiesa della Concezione (14th century, rebuilt in the 18th century), with the annexed

Benedictine convent.

• Church of San Francesco all'Immacolata, with a convex façade intermingled by columns and

pilaster strips. It housed and ancient celebration, the Svelata ("Revelation"), in which an

image of the Madonna was unveiled at dawn of 29 November.

• Basilica of St. John the Evangelist, built by the Normans and destroyed in 1693. Only

partially restored, it was erected over an ancient crypt of the martyr San Marciano, later

destroyed by the Arabs. The main altar is Byzantine. It includes the Catacombs of San

Giovanni, featuring a maze of tunnels and passages, with thousands of tombs and several

frescoes.

Other notable buildings • Castello Maniace, constructed between 1232 and 1240, is an example of the military

architecture of Frederick II's reign. It is a square structure with circular towers at each of

the four corners. The most striking feature is the pointed portal, decorated with polychrome

marbles.

• The important Archaeological Museum, with collections including findings from the mid-Bronze

Age to 5th century BC.

• Palazzo Lanza Buccheri (16th century).

• Palazzo Mergulese-Montalto (14th century), which conserves the old façade from the 14th

century, with a pointed portal.

• The Archbishop's Palace (17th century, modified in the following century). It houses

the Alagonian Library, founded in the late 18th century.

• The Palazzo Vermexio, the current Town Hall, which includes fragments of an Ionic temple of

the 5th century BC.

• Palazzo Francica Nava, with parts of the original 16th century building surviving.

• Palazzo Beneventano del Bosco, originally built in the Middle Ages but extensively modified

between 1779 and 1788. It has a pleasant internal court.

• Palazzo Migliaccio (15th century), with notable lava inlay decorations.

• The Senate Palace, housing in the court an 18th-century coach.

• The Castle of Euryalos, built 9 kilometres (6 miles) outside the city by Dionysius the Elder

and which was one of the most powerful fortresses of ancient times. It had three moats with a

series of underground galleries which allowed the defenders to remove the materials the

attackers could use to fill them.

• Palazzo Bellomo, whose museum houses Antonello da Messina's Annunciation (1474).

Gallery

•

The Maniace Castle

Detail of Palazzo Beneventano Del Bosco

Detail of the Fountain of Diana

Ortygia

Ortygia (Italian: Ortigia) is a small island which is the historical centre of the city

of Syracuse, Sicily. The island, also known as Città Vecchia (Old City), contains many

historical landmarks. The name originates from the

"Quail".

Overview

The Homeric Hymn to Delian Apollo has it that the goddess

birth to Artemis,[1] the firstborn

the island of Delos, where Leto gave birth to

twins were born in the same place

old name of Delos. Further, there were perhaps a half

that the identification is uncertain.

metamorphosed into a quail (Ortux), threw herself into the sea, and was metamorphosed into

the island Ortygia. Another myth suggested that it was Delos instead of Ortygia.

Location

Detail of Palazzo Beneventano Del Bosco

Diana

Our Lady of Tears Shrine

The Cathedral of Syracuse

Panoramic view

) is a small island which is the historical centre of the city

. The island, also known as Città Vecchia (Old City), contains many

originates from the Ancient Greek ortyx

The Homeric Hymn to Delian Apollo has it that the goddess Leto stopped at Ortygia to give

the firstborn of her twins. Artemis then helped Leto across the sea to

, where Leto gave birth to Apollo.[2] Other ancient sources state that the

twins were born in the same place—which was either Delos or Ortygia[3]—

old name of Delos. Further, there were perhaps a half-dozen other places called Ortygia, so

that the identification is uncertain.[4] It was also said that Asteria, the sister of Leto


r myth suggested that it was Delos instead of Ortygia.

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Our Lady of Tears Shrine

Cathedral of Syracuse (it)

) is a small island which is the historical centre of the city

. The island, also known as Città Vecchia (Old City), contains many

(ὄρτυξ) which means

stopped at Ortygia to give

of her twins. Artemis then helped Leto across the sea to

Other ancient sources state that the

but Ortygia was an

dozen other places called Ortygia, so

, the sister of Leto


r myth suggested that it was Delos instead of Ortygia.[5]

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Ortygia is located at the eastern end of Syracuse and is separated from it by a narrow

channel. Three bridges connect the island to mainland Sicily. The island is an extremely

popular place for tourism, shopping, entertainment and also a residential area.

Subdistricts

• Graziella (Sicilian: Razziedda)

• Bottari (Sicilian: 'Uttari)

• Mastrarua (Sicilian: Masciarrò)

• Spirduta (Sicilian: Spidduta)

• Maestranza (Sicilian: Mascianza)

• Duomo (Sicilian: Domu)

• Giudecca (Sicilian: Jureca)

• Turba (Sicilian: Tubba)

• Castello Maniace (Sicilian: Casteddu)

Landmarks

• Piazza del Duomo, Syracuse

• Piazza Archimede

• Arethuse

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Istituto di Istruzione Superiore

Palazzolo Acreide (SR) Sedi associate: I.T.I.S. – I.P.S.A.A. – I.P.S.S.A.R.T. – Liceo Classico – Liceo Linguistico

Liceo delle Scienze Umane – Liceo Artistico

Sede Coordinata: I.P.S.A.A. (Sortino)

Provisional Program

Comenius Meeting Italy

From 10th to 14th February

MONDAY 10th

FEBRUARY:

Arrival of Delegations. Transfer from Catania Airport to Palazzolo Acreide

Meeting with Host Families at school

Dinner at the hotel

TUESDAY 11th

FEBRUARY:

09.00 Meeting at school and visit of the school (Teachers and Students)

11.00 Teachers Meeting

13.00 Lunch at the restaurant: about 15 € per person

Afternoon: Visit of the town: Popular Traditions Museum and The Travellers Museum

Dinner (Only Teachers)

WEDNESDAY 12th

FEBRUARY:

09.00 Trip to Siracusa by bus. Visit of Greek Remains

Lunch

Visit and free time in Ortigia

Return to Palazzolo at about 19.00

Dinner at the Hotel

THURSDAY 13th

FEBRUARY:

09.00 Visit of Akrai

12.00 Meeting at the Town Hall with the Local Authorities

13.00 Lunch

17.00 Goodbye Party and Dinner at school

FRIDAY 14th

FEBRUARY:

09.00 Departure of Delegations

5 palazzolo acreide (comenius)

Education