About Syracuse
The underlying secret of the
magnificence of Syracuse had been the harmony existing for centuries
between the Church and the government, but this peace was destroyed
by the Bourbons, who were against both feudal power and that
of the Church. The Unification of Italy led eventually to the
dismemberment of church property and the creation of a new urban
fabric. Although the violent earthquake of 1693 caused 4000 deaths,
it did not completely destroy Ortigia, but led to the widespread
conversion of pre-existing palaces into Baroque style, making
the area absolutely unique, with its mixture of architectural
and urbanistic features - traces of Greek remains together with
those dating back to the medieval period and that of the Spanish
domination. Of particular interest is the Dome (5th century),
the old crypt of St. Marciano, the Castle of Eurialo (5th - 6th
century), the castle of Maniace (13th century), the Greek Theater,
the Roman Amphitheater built in Imperial period and Dionysus's
Ear, an artificial grotto created after mining building materials,
resembling an ear.
|
