36 Hours in Syracuse, Sicily

[elleng]

'Architecture that spans centuries, troves of religious art, a distinctive sweet-savory cuisine and glorious Mediterranean sunsets: This ancient city is filled with timeless riches.

Founded by Greeks around 734 B.C., the southeastern Sicilian city that Cicero called “the greatest and most beautiful of all Grecian cities” achieved a size and status in the ancient world that made it a rival of major powers like Athens and Carthage. Takeovers and makeovers by Romans, Byzantines, North Africans, Normans and others left their marks as well, influencing everything from religious art to the region’s distinctive savory-sweet-sour cooking style. Much of the ancient city has crumbled since Cicero’s day, though the ruins can still be explored in Syracuse’s celebrated archaeological park and museum. But the main attraction today is the historical center of Syracuse: Ortigia island, a maze of narrow streets, ornate Baroque churches and centuries-old palazzi. And if you’ve never seen the stunning sunset over the Mediterranean from Ortigia’s western promenade, add that to your To Do list.'>>>

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/05/travel/what-to-do-36-hours-in-syracuse-sicily.html?

[empedocles]

1. Enriching just to read.

My son and his wife have made several trips to Italy. One that stands out, is where they did small varying towns along the southern coast.

I especially liked upland Pescara/the Abruzzi

[elleng]

2. Yes, it is enriching to read,

and a great reminder of a quick visit there on our honeymoon, in '84, drove south from Rome, down to Sicily, then north. Didn't do Abruzzi, tho.