Siracusa

The city of Siracusa is located on the eastern coast of Sicily and has been inhabited since ancient times but was founded in either 734 or 733 BC by Greek settlers and in 1542 and 1693 the city was struck by two earthquakes as well as a plague in 1729.

Today, Siracusa has a population of 125,000 people and a plethora of tourist attractions that include the Temple of Apollo which was adapted into a church during Byzantine rule, the Fountain of Arethusa, the Theatre, which is one of the largest ever Greek built theater that features 67 rows divided into 9 sections with 8 aisles each, the Roman amphitheatre, the Tomb of Archimede as well as the Temple of Olympian Zeuswhich was built during the 6th century BC.

There are also a number of ancient churches in the city of Siracusa that include the Cathedral which was built in the 7th century, the Basilica of Santa Lucia extra Moenia which was built around the15th and 16th centuries, the Church of San Paolo that was built in the18th century, the Church of San Cristoforo was originally built in the14th century but was renovated in the 18th century, the Church of Santa Lucìa alla Badìa, the Church of Santa Maria dei Miracoli which was built in the 13th century, the Church of the Spirito Santo that was built in the18th century, the Church of the Jesuite College, the Church of St. Benedict, the Chiesa della Concezione a 14th century church that was rebuilt in the 18th century, the Church of San Francesco all'Immacolata as well as the Basilica of St. John the Evangelist which was both built and destroyed in 1693.

But most naeable are the castles and palaces which include the Castello Maniace which was built between 1232 and 1240, the important Archaeological Museum that features mid-Bronze Age to 5th century BC artifacts, the Palazzo Lanza Buccheri, the Palazzo Mergulese-Montalto that was built in the 14th century, the Archbishop's Palace, the Palazzo Vermexio which is currently the town hall but originates back to the 5th century BC, the Palazzo Francica Nava, the Palazzo Beneventano del Bosco that was originally built during the Middle Ages and modified between 1779 and 1788, the Palazzo Migliaccio, the Senate Palace as well as the Castle of Euryalos.