Siracusa (Syracuse) et les environs
It's quite possible that there isn't a more picture-perfest city than Siracusa (Syracuse) in the whole Sicily. This oddly shaped city, sticking out on Sicily's southeastern tip, is divided into mainland Siracusa (Syracuse) and Ortigia (Ortygia) island - the old part of town, which is connected to the mainland by two bridges. The city is a perfect mix of history, beauty, seaside fun and gastronomic delights, and a recent spring-clean of the historic centre has made it shine with a renewed beauty. Siracusa (Syracuse) is also a very manageable city to visit, it's tidy and compact.
The main sights are in two areas: on the island of Ortigia (Ortygia), and 2km across town in the Neapolis Archaeological Park. The train station is located to the west of Siracusa (Syracuse). Walking to Ortigia (Ortygia) will take you about 15 to 20 minutes. Free electric buses are operating on Ortigia (Ortygia), and no nonresidents are allowed to park on the island. There is talk of making Ortigia (Ortygia) totally pedestrian, though this is still being discusses.
Siracusa by Bike or Scooter
Hotel Cavalieri offers their guests traditional and electric bikes discovering in this way the city without the hussle of finding a parking place eg near the Archaeological Park Neapolis or admiring the island Ortigia, which is actually completely closed to the private traffic. Who prefers a faster means of transport may opt for a scooter.
Our Concierge Service is keen to help you. Please contact us for any further information you might need info@hotelcavalierisiracusa.it
Get in:
By bus
Regular buses run to and from Catania, Noto, Modica and Ragusa as well as more local destinations (bus company Interbus). Siracusa (Syracuse) is served by orange urban buses run by AST, whose bus station is just across the bridge into Ortygia, at Riva della Posta.
By train
The railway station is 10 minutes walk from the centre of the old town. About 1/2 the intercity trains from mainland Italy (Rome and Naples) continue on from Messina and Catania to Siracusa (Syracuse). Less frequent local trains continue on to Noto, Modica, Ragusa and Gela. These trains from the mainland connect via a ferry.
Siracusa is also served by direct trains from Rome (a ten-and-a-half-hour journey). There are frequent trains from Catania (a couple of hours away). From Palermo train travel is a bit harder; you will need to change at least once (usually at Messina), and the journey will take 6-7 hours. The railway station is on Via Crispi, a twenty-minute walk from Ortygia.
Airport
The closest airport is Catania to the north of Siracusa (Syracuse) (60km), which offers direct bus service ( bus company Interbus) to Siracusa (Syracuse).
Please do not hesitate to ask our Concierge Service for a pick up service by Limo from Catania airport: info@hotelcavalierisiracusa.it
Audio Tours of Siracusa (english)
| Histoire de Siracusa (Syracuse) | mp3 | wma | iPod |
A - Parc archéologique de Neapolis:
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| Guide audio à télécharger (27'31'') | mp3 | wma | iPod |
B - Ortigia:
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| Guide audio à télécharger (1h56'30'') | mp3 | wma | iPod |
C - Erraient à proximité de Siracusa (Syracuse):
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| Guide audio à télécharger (13'17'') | mp3 | wma | iPod |
D - Au-delà du nord de Siracusa (Syracuse):
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| Guide audio à télécharger (13'17'') | mp3 | wma | iPod |
E - Vers le sud de Siracusa (Syracuse):
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| Guide audio à télécharger (12'09'') | mp3 | wma | iPod |
Siracusa (Syracuse) for Children:
1) Aquarium
2) Papyrus Museum
3) Sicilian Puppet Theatre, Museum and Worskshop
4) Siracusa Natural Wonders
Acquarium of Siracusa
The Aquarium of Siracusa (Syracuse), situated at the Fountain Aretusa, is divided into several areas. Among these areas there is an important section devoted to the marine life in the Mediterranean Sea. In the basins of this area is recreated the Marine biotype found in that part of the sea that laps the shores of the province of Siracusa (Syracuse), and also in some boards are placed some of the finest shells of the Mare Nostrum.
The aquarium is of a medium in size, therefore the visit can be reasonably done in half an hour.
Opening Hours: 10.00am to 01.00pm
Please do not hesitate to ask our Concierge Service for further details info@hotelcavalierisiracusa.it.
Papyrus Museum
The Papyrus Museum, established in 1989, offers a broad overview of the history of the papyrus and its uses, contributing to knowledge of ancient art and certain aspects of the history of Siracusa (Syracuse).The museum is responsible not only for the recovery, preservation and dissemination of the culture of the papyrus, but also studies on the plant, the manufacture of paper in different eras and preservation and restoration of ancient papyrus documents.
The Papyrus Museum is very close to the Archeological Muesum Paolo Orsi.
Opening Hours: Tue-Sun 09.00am to 01.00pm
Please do not hesitate to ask our Concierge Service for further details info@hotelcavalierisiracusa.it.
Sicilian Puppet Theatre
 Sicilian Puppet |
 Sicilian Puppets |
Opera dei Pupi, part of the "UNESCO World Heritage", puppet plays portraying epic sagas, emerged in Sicily in the early 19th century and remained popular until the 1950s. Puppeteers prided themselves on their own performance traditions and techniques and passed them down through their families. The performances involve improvization based on plot outlines, and use exquisitely crafted puppets and props. Plots came from poems, romances and popular librettos, but dialogue is improvised.
The puppets are intricately crafted and feature highly exaggerated expressions. The brightly painted wings and backdrops are also very much appreciated. Puppeteers left the carving, painting and design to specialist craftsmen, who employed traditional methods handed down over the decades.
The Puppet Theatre of the Siracusa family Vaccaro-Mauceri
The puppeteers who are running the theater belong to a dynasty Vaccaro-Mauceri that has been handed down the craft from generation. Each puppet is still entirely made by hand from them, with a core made of painted wood, embossed in metal armor, clothes sewn by hand and so on. Each "baby" costs a month's work.
The puppeteers of the company Vaccaro-Mauceri are all very young and very in love with their work, and willing to explain, before and after the show (commitments allowing, of course) the history and secrets of this fascinating form of folk art.
Programme of Puppet Theatre
Puppets Workshop-Laboratory on appointment
Museum: Opening Hours. Tue-Sat 11.00am to 01.00am; 04.00pm to 06.00pm; Sun 11.00am to 01.00pm
Theatre, Museum and Laboratory are situated in the centre of Ortigia.
Please do not hesitate to ask our Concierge Service for further details info@hotelcavalierisiracusa.it.
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