The Archaeological Park of Neapolis is one of Syracuse’s biggest attractions, rich in history and spectacular discoveries. The archaeological park at Neapolis has the most notable remnants of Syracuse’s ancient Greek Roman metropolis.
The three components of this park are the Greek theatre, the Latomie, and the Roman amphitheater. Neapolis was one of Syracuse’s five quarters during the Greek and Roman periods. It is considered an open-air museum, with a large collection of ruins going back to Sicily’s glory days.
The part of the Archaeological Park of the Neapolis
The Latomia del Paradiso (Paradise Quarry), one of the most famous ancient caves of the time, is located in the park’s first area. It’s a small tunnel that’s 76 feet tall, 214 feet deep, and just approximately 25 feet wide. Because of its physical form, Caravaggio dubbed it the Ear of Dionysius.
The name latomia derives from the Latin ltomae, which means cut stone, and throughout the Greek-Roman period, this black stone quarry was used to jail slaves or war prisoners, and guardians were able to hear every word they uttered owing to its unique form. Grotta dei Cordari, a large cave near this monument, is characterized by a narrow fissure framed by water and plants.
While walking through the archaeological park, you can see the altar of Gerone II, which is thought to be the largest and most amazing surviving altar of the Magna Graecia. The altar was encircled by columns and was ornamented by lush trees in the courtyard during the Roman Empire; sadly, only the base of this massive building survives now.
The famed Catacombs of San Giovanni Evangelista are located near the Neapolis Archaeological Park. The site has about 10,000 burials, ranging from modest niches to majestic arched chambers with beautiful signs of art. If you wish to learn more about the history of this intriguing location, you may schedule a guided tour with experienced English guides.
It is advised that you purchase a Cumulative ticket, which allows you to visit the Neapolis Archaeological Park as well as the Paolo Orsi Archaeological Museum, the Catacombs of San Giovanni, the Villa Tellaro, and much more.
About Archaeological Park of the Neapolis
Syracuse’s true draw for classicists is this archaeological park, which houses the dazzling Teatro Greco. The 16,000-capacity amphitheater, erected in the 5th century BC and restored in the 3rd, produced Aeschylus’ final tragedies (including The Persians), which were first performed here in his presence. It comes alive with an annual season of classical theatre from early May to early July.
About Beside the theatre
The enigmatic Latomia del Paradiso, a deep, steep limestone quarry from which stone for the old city was mined, is located next to the theatre. It’s riddled with catacombs and surrounded by lemon and magnolia trees, and it’s also where the 7000 survivors of the 413 BC conflict between Syracuse and Athens were imprisoned. Caravaggio called the Orecchio di Dionisio, a 23m-high grotto that extends 65m back into the cliffside, after the dictator Dionysius, who is claimed to have exploited the quarry’s almost perfect acoustics to eavesdrop on his victims.
About Back outside this area
The entrance to the 2nd-century Anfiteatro Romano, which was usually used for horse races and gladiatorial combats, can be found just beyond this region. In the 16th century, the Spaniards, who were uninterested in archaeology, substantially destroyed the site, using it as a quarry to build Ortygia’s walls of city. A monolithic sacrifice altar to Hieron II, the 3rd-century-BC Ara di Gerone II, is located west of the amphitheater and can accommodate up to 450 oxen at one time.
Access to the park
To get to the park, take the Sd’A Trasporti minibus 2 (€1, 15 minutes) from Molo Sant’Antonio, which is located on the west side of the major bridge into Ortygia; tickets may be purchased on-board. Alternatively, you can walk from Ortygia in about 30 minutes. You can find limited free parking on Viale Augusto if you are driving.
Practical pieces of information Archaeological Park of the Neapolis
- Address: Via del Teatro Greco
- Phone: 0931 66206 – 65068
- Start Opening: Mon-Sun 9.00 – 5.30 pm
- Tickets Archaeological Park of the Neapolis include the Archaeological Park, the Greek theatre, and the Roman amphitheater
- Adult: 10,00 €
- Concession: 5,00 €
Hotels near the Archaeological Park of Neapolis, Siracusa
- Dreams room
- Dimora Archimedea
- Il Pianoforte B&B
- Temenos Villa
- Chez Moi
- Panoramic Rooms
