Syracuse was settled in the 14th century B.C. The town’s development was originally steered by the island of Ortygia, which extends from the mainland and was once one of the most important islands in Sicily. Its significance diminished during the 9th century, after Palermo advanced to becoming the most powerful town after its conquest by the Arabs. The face of Syracuse was then altered dramatically in the 17th century, after a number of new, for the most part Baroque buildings had to be erected following a massive earthquake. Syracuse has remained one of the most important towns in Sicily to this day. The island’s fourth largest city is also the capital of the province of the same name (Syracuse).   

Syracuse’s Old Town is a popular tourist destination. In spite of the damages it endured during the Second World War, it has remained an attractive corner of the world, where you will find most of Syracuse’s tourist attractions. The highlight of the Old Town is its magnificent Palazzi. The Piazza Archimedes is home to a series of interesting palaces that are all between 400 and 600 years old. A typical example of these is the Palazzo dell’Orologio – or “Clock Palace” – today home to the Banca d’Italia. A fantastic museum is the Museo Regionale di Palazzo Bellomo, where masterpieces by a myriad of Italian artists are on display.