SIRACUSA Escorted Tours   Independent Hotel Stay       Hotel Villas and Relais       Sightseeing Transfers Located near the south-eastern corner of Sicily on the Ionian coast, Siracusa (Syracuse) is built on an ancient Greek settlement founded by Corinthians in 734 BC. More than any other modern city in Sicily, Syracuse manifests a visible continuity from its ancient Greek past, both historical and mythological. History and culture Siracusa was founded by Greek colonies in 734 BC. The city grew at a rapid rate, giving life to a series of internal conflicts and creating the ideal atmosphere for tyranny. In 485 BC Gerone, the first tyrant of Siracusa came to power. Through his policy of conquests and victories, the importance of Siracusa grew, making the city strong and famous as a ruling power. Under the reign of Ierone II (269-215 B.C.) Siracusa enjoyed a period of peace and splendour, that was the last before the city lost its independence and liberty after it was conquered by the Roman Empire. Siracusa fell under Roman rule in 212; this was the beginning of the city's decline. When the Roman Empire fell in 476 AD, the city was at the mercy of other populations. In 878 the Arabs took over a large part of Eastern Sicily including Siracusa, and the city stayed in their hands for about 2 centuries. The Byzantines took over from the Arabs for a brief period (1038) but they were soon replaced by the Normans (1081), who managed to hold onto power for more than a century. A tremendous earthquake shook the East of Sicily in 1693, including Siracusa. The city was completely rebuilt in the early decades of the eighteenth century and thus became one of the best examples of the Sicilian Baroque style. Between 1800 and 1900, Siracusa enjoyed a period of economic, urban and cultural expansion, greatly helped by the fact that it was annexed to the Kingdom of Italy (1870). Historical buildings and monuments Greek Theatre Roman Amphitheatre Orecchio di Dioniso Grotta dei Cordari Castello Maniace Castello di Eurialo Escorted Tours   Independent Hotel Stay       Hotel Villas and Relais       Sightseeing Transfers © 2008 by Appianline << Back