27. From Naples to Syracuse ( Malta , Tunis , Tripoli ) viâ Messina and Catania

From Naples to Messina (204 M.). 1. Steamers of the Ferrovie dello Stato (Line D), leave Naples Sun. evening, arr. at Messina Mon. morning (at Reggio at noon; returning from Reggio same afternoon and from Messina same evening); fares 22 fr. 85, 14 fr. 70 c.—2. Società Nazionale: a. Line XX (Linea Circolare, see pp. , 142), dep. from Naples Sat. aft., arr. at Messina Sun. morning (returning from Messina Wed. aft.); b. Line V (Genoa-Alexandria; p. ), dep. from Naples Thurs. aft., arr. at Messina Frid. morning (returning from Messina Sun. evening); fares by these two lines 22 fr. 85, 14 fr. 70 c.; c. Lines X & XI, fortnightly from Naples viâ Palermo (comp. p. ) to Messina (fares 50 fr. 10, 33 fr. 40 c.).

From Naples to Catania (258 M.), the Linea Circolare (see below); also the North German Lloyd (Mediterranean-Levant; RR. 23, 24) every second Mon. (from Catania Tues.) in 16 hrs.; fare 36 or 24 marks.

From Messina to Syracuse (93 M.), only the Linea Circolare, dep. from Messina Sun. morning, arr. at Reggio same morning, at Catania Sun. afternoon, at Syracuse Mon. evening (returning from Syracuse Tues. forenoon, from Catania Tues. midnight, and leaving Messina for Naples on Wed. aft.). This steamer may be overtaken at Syracuse if we go by train from Messina to Syracuse (comp. p. ), in which case there will be time to spend a night at Taormina and see the sunset and sunrise. At Syracuse a drive through the old town should not be omitted (comp. p. ).

Naples, see p. . Steering across the bay towards the Peninsula of Sorrento, we enjoy a delightful retrospect of Mt. Vesuvius and the hills around Naples. Farther on we admire the bold rocky N. coast of the island of Capri.

After 1¼ hr. we pass through the Bocca Piccola, a strait 3 M. in breadth, between the huge cliffs of Lo Capo, the N.E. point of Capri, and the Punta di Campanella (154 ft.; lighthouse), the extremity of the peninsula of Sorrento.

The steamboat now proceeds to the S.S.E. towards the straits of Messina. We have a fine view, in passing, of the Punta Tragara, the S.E. headland of Capri, with the cliffs of the Faraglioni, and of the precipitous Monte Soláro (1920 ft.), the highest hill in the island. On our left lies the broad Gulf of Salerno, with the bays of Positano and Amalfi on the S. side of the peninsula of Sorrento. Conspicuous among the Neapolitan Apennines are the spurs of Monte Stella (3708 ft.) with the Punta Licosa, and of Monte Bulgheria (4016 ft.) with Cape Palinuro (lighthouse).

At length, far off the coast of Calabria, we sight to the S. the volcanic Lipari or Æolian Islands, the ancient Liparaeae or Æoliae. We pass close to Strómboli, the Strongyle of the Greeks, which the ancients regarded as the seat of Æolus, god of the winds. This island culminates in a peak (3038 ft.) with a crater on its N. side, often shrouded in smoke, which is one of the few constantly active volcanoes in Europe. To the S.W. we descry in clear weather Panária (1381 ft.), with its archipelago of smaller islands; Lípari, the largest of the group with Monte Sant’Angelo (1955 ft.); and Vulcano with its ever smoking crater (1638 ft.).

Off Cape Vaticano (lighthouse), a spur of the Calabrian coast-hills between the bays of Sant’Eufemia and Gioia, we sight the N. coast of Sicily, with the Monti Peloritani, the Myconius Mons or Mons Neptuni of the Romans, overtopped by Mt. Ætna (p. ). On the Calabrian coast, near the strait which was the chief scene of the earthquake of 1908 (p. ), appear the ruins of the little town of Palmi, halfway up Monte Elia (1900 ft.; a famous point of view), and those of Bagnara and of Scilla with its castle-rock.

The *Voyage through the Straits of Messina (Faro or Stretto di Messina), the Fretum Siculum of antiquity, is one of the most beautiful in the Mediterranean. Both banks are luxuriantly fertile, shaded with palms, and yielding oranges, pomegranates, and prickly pears. The Calabrian coast, thickly studded with villages, partly in ruins, culminates in Montalto (5424 ft.), the highest peak of the wooded Aspromonte, the ancient Sila, while we survey the Sicilian coast as far as Mt. Ætna. The narrowest part of the straits, 2 M., is between the Punta del Faro (p. ) and the Punta Pezzo, where they are entered from the Tyrrhenian Sea; between Messina and Villa San Giovanni (p. ) they are 4½ M., and between Capo di Scaletta (p. ) and the Punta di Péllaro (p. ) in the Ionian Sea 8¾ M. wide. The currents which sweep past the headland of Scilla (see above) and cause strong eddies near the harbour of Messina, sometimes augmented by gales, gave rise at a very early period to the legend of Scylla and Charybdis, and Homer has described Scylla as a roaring, all-devouring sea-monster.

We pass the lighthouses of the Punta del Faro and the Punta di Pezzo. Nearing the Harbour of Messina, in a bay formed by a sickle-shaped peninsula, we survey the ruins of the city on the green slopes of the Monti Peloritani (p. ), whose fissured peaks tower above the sea of houses, once so picturesque.

The central point of the earthquake of Messina (28th Dec., 1908), caused by dislocation or subsidence, was the strait and the W. slope of Aspromonte (p. ). The first terrific shock at 5 a.m. was followed almost immediately by a great tidal wave caused by a submarine earthquake, and aggravating the calamity in the lower parts of the coast towns and villages. The effects of the earthquake were disastrous also in Calabria as far to the N. as Cosenza, and in Sicily as far to the S. as Pachino (near Cape Passero; p. ). At Messina the sea-wave rose to a height of 8–9 ft., at Reggio 11½ ft., and at Giardini and Riposto 19½–20 ft. The area of the seismic disturbance extended to the N.E. to Pizzo on the bay of Sant’Eufemia (p. ), to the E. to the mouth of the Amendolea, near Cape Spartivento and the small town of Ferruzzano, the scene of the earthquake of 1907, and to the S. to Riposto (p. ). It was estimated that 96,000 persons lost their lives. The value of the buildings destroyed amounted to about 6,500,000l.

Messina.—Arrival. Landing or embarkation 1 fr., or without baggage 50 c., but bargain advisable. Passengers are landed at the quay (Approdo Ferry-boats) adjoining the old Stazione Porto, where, in connection with the express from Naples (steam-ferry from Villa San Giovanni), express trains to Catania and Palermo are in waiting.

Hotels (inquiries should be made as to prices), all with the exception of the Excelsior built of wood and very fair. Gr.-Hôt. Regina Elena, Viale Roosevelt, to the E. of Viale San Martino, in an open situation commanding fine views, to be opened in 1911; Grand-Hôtel, R. 4½–5, B. 1¼ fr.; Excelsior, R. 4–10, B. 1½ fr.; Belvedere, R. 2½–3½ fr., these three in the Viale San Martino; Venezia, Piazza Cavallotti.

Cab per drive 60 (with luggage 80) c., at night 1 fr.; by time, 2 fr. for the first hour, and 1 fr. 50 c. for each addit. hour; to the Punta del Faro 6–7 fr.

Post Office, Viale San Martino.—Telegraph Office in the piazza of the chief station.

Tourist Agency. Mrs. Pearce, Via Primo Settembre, opposite the railway-station.

British Vice-Consul, J. B. Heynes.

The town of Messina was like Reggio completely destroyed by the earthquake of 1908 (comp. above) and has now only 80,000 inhab. as against 110,000 in 1908. Notwithstanding this catastrophe it was finally decided in autumn 1909 to rebuild the town on its former site. Its harbour, one of the best in the Mediterranean, the third in importance in Sicily, sustained no damage and has even now a very brisk trade (1908: 3589 vessels of 2,598,647 tons burden; 1910: 3148 vessels of 2,050,733 tons burden). The great charm of Messina consists in the beauty of its environs and the views they afford, particularly of the Calabrian coast by evening light.

Originally named Zancle (i.e. sickle), Messina was one of the earliest of the Greek colonies in Sicily, having been founded about 730 B.C. Early in the 5th cent. it was occupied by new colonists from the Messenian Reggio (p. ) and called Messana. From the earliest times the Messenians took a leading part in almost all the political agitations in the island. In 228 the Mamertines, disbanded mercenaries of Agathocles (p. ), treacherously seized the town and soon afterwards invoked the aid of the Romans against Hannibal, thus directly giving rise to the first Punic war. For a time Messina enjoyed the special favour of the Romans, and even of Verres, the notorious proconsul, but when it became the naval base of Pompey, in 36 B.C., it was plundered by the soldiers of Octavian. From the period of the Crusades, by which Sicily was partly affected, date the privileges which made Messina a kind of free city and the seat of the Sicilian opposition to foreign domination. The failure of its war against Spain (1672–8), notwithstanding the help of French troops sent by Louis XIV. and two naval victories won by Admiral Duquesne over the Spanish-Dutch fleet under De Ruyter (1676), caused the downfall of the city. Terrible pestilences (the plague in 1740 and cholera in 1854), severe earthquakes (in 1783 and 1894), and the bombardment of the town by the Neapolitan fleet (in 1818) had already seriously injured Messina prior to its recent appalling calamity.

The ruins extend along the shore to the N., from the ‘sickle’ of the harbour and the citadel, to the Giardino a Mare, under whose plane-trees is a Camp for the destitute. The Citadel itself, with its broad moats and its bastions, is still standing.

On the Marina or Corso Vittorio Emanuele (formerly called also La Palazzata) are still seen several palatial façades, interrupted by archways and passages leading to the parallel Via Garibaldi. These are mostly relics of a uniform row of palaces, erected after the earthquake of 1783. Opposite the ruined Palazzo Municipale rises the Neptune Fountain, by Montorsoli, a pupil of Michael Angelo (1557), with a colossal statue of Neptune between Scylla and Charybdis.

Beyond the Via Garibaldi lies the Piazza del Duomo, with the almost intact Orion Fountain by Montorsoli (1547–51), a point which may be reached direct from the Dogana by the Via Primo Settembre. The Cathedral (la Matrice), founded by the Normans in 1098, is now, with the exception of the choir niche, a mass of ruins. The short Via Università degli Studi led to the S.E. from this piazza to the University, now also destroyed.

A few paces to the S. of the University, in the coast-plain called the Mosella, between the Torrente Portalegni and the Torrente Zaera, and beyond the ruins of the new quarters of the town, lies the main Camp of wooden barracks for the homeless, flanking the Viale San Martino.

A good survey of the ruins, as well as a superb view of the straits, is obtained from the old Forte Castellaccio, which, along with the modern forts, the barracks of the mountain-artillery, and the powder-magazine, has escaped destruction. The way to it (35–40 min.) is up the Torrente Portalegni close to ruined houses; we then skirt the Botanic Garden, cross the Piazza Venti Settembre occupied by barracks, and ascend straight on the steep Via Castellaccio.

The beautiful Excursion to the Punta del Faro (cab, see p. ; bargain advisable) affords a good survey of the devastated environs. The road leads from the Giardino a Mare (p. ) and the camp called Villaggio Regina Elena, along the foot of the hills, past luxuriant orchards, and through the ruined fishing-villages of Salvatore dei Greci, Paradiso, and Pace; it then skirts two lagoons, the Pantano Grande, or Lago di Ganzirri, below the ruins of Faro Superiore, a village famed for its wine, and the Pantano Piccolo. On the Punta del Faro or Capo Peloro (once Promontorium Pelorum), the N.E. point of Sicily, are the ruins of the fishing-village of Faro or Torre del Faro, and near it the quite intact Lighthouse (200 steps; keeper 50 c.), which commands a splendid *View of the Lipari Islands and the Calabrian coast as far as Cape Vaticano (comp. p. ).

From Messina to Syracuse, 115 M., railway in 6¼–7 hrs.; fares 22 fr. 60, 15 fr. 85, 10 fr. 25 c. (journey may be broken once; to Giardini-Taormina, 30½ M., in 1½–2 hrs.). The quick trains start from Messina harbour (comp. p. ); the morning train, which runs to Syracuse harbour, has a dining-car (déj. 2½ fr.). The train skirts the coast, affording fine views; it crosses the stony channels of several torrenti or flumare, which are generally dry, and pierces a number of headlands by means of tunnels.

7½ M. Galati; 12 M. Scaletta Zanclea, with a picturesque castle, not far from the Capo di Scaletta; 15½ M. Alì, with sulphur-baths. Beyond the (23 M.) beautiful cape of Sant’ Alessio, with a deserted castle, we sight the headland of Taormina.

30½ M. Giardini-Taormina. The village of Giardini lies in a small bay, in a malarious region, 1¼ M. beyond the Capo di Taormina. Taormina is reached by road (3 M.), by a bridle-path, or by a steep footpath. (Diligence 1 fr.; down, 50 c.; carr. according to number of party, 2–5 fr.; heavy luggage had better be left at the station.)

Taormina (673 ft.; San Domenico Palace Hotel, Hotel Castello a Mare, Timeo, International, Villa San Pancrazio, Metropole, all often crowded from 15th Jan. to April and closed in summer; plainer, San Giorgio, Victoria, Naumachia, etc.; Brit. vice-cons., Dr. S. Cacciola-Cartella; pop. 4000), the ancient Tauromenium, a highly picturesque little town, lies on the S.E. spurs of Monte Venere (2900 ft.), and is overlooked by a ruined Castle (1300 ft.) and by the village of Mola (2083 ft.). Its chief attraction is the *Ancient Theatre, at the E. end of the town, which is open daily till dusk. Originally Greek it was entirely remodelled in the Roman period. The spectators’ area (cavea), almost wholly hewn in the rock, is 357 ft. in diameter, and the orchestra (seats for persons of distinction) 115 ft.; the stage (pulpitum) is particularly well preserved. The *View from the site of the theatre is one of the most beautiful in Italy, especially in the morning, when the sun rises above Calabria or, in winter, from the sea, imparting a rosy hue to the snowy peak of Mt. Ætna (p. ), and gilding the rocky heights beyond the theatre.

Between Taormina and Catania the train crosses a number of the lava-streams descending from Mt. Ætna. On the northmost of these, near Schisò, between the bay of Giardini and the mouth of the Alcántara (Arabic al-kántara, the bridge), lay Naxos, founded in 735 B. C., the oldest Greek colony in Sicily.

41 M. Giarre-Riposto, the station for the country-town of Giarre and for the seaport of Riposto which has a brisk trade in wine. It is also the starting-point of the railway round the W. side of Mt. Ætna (‘Ferrovia Circumetnéa’; 68½ M. in length).

51 M. Acireale (525 ft.; Sicil. Iaci), a wealthy country-town built on several lava-streams and much frequented as a bathing-place on account of its mineral springs (sulphur, salt, and iodine).—Near (55½ M.) Aci Castello we perceive on the left in the sea seven cliffs of columnar basalt, the Scogli de’ Ciclopi or Islands of Cyclops, the rocks which according to Greek myth the blinded Polyphemus hurled after the crafty Ulysses.

59½ M. Catania, see p. .

Running inland the train enters the Piana di Catania, the plain of the rivers Simeto and Gornalunga, which is often flooded in winter. This was the region of the Laestrygonian Fields of antiquity, extolled by Cicero as the ‘uberrima Siciliæ pars’, and still the granary of the island. To the right, beyond the Monti Cartina, in a malarious district lies the Lago di Lentini, the largest lake in Sicily. On the left, beyond (77½ M.) Lentini, Greek Leontinoi, is the swampy lagoon Pantano di Carlentini. We pass numerous salt-works and snow-white pyramids of sea-salt.

94 M. Augusta (the ancient Xiphonia), a seaport with 16,000 inhab., lies in a site similar to that of Syracuse, on the N. margin of the Bay of Megara, which is bounded by the headlands of Santa Croce and Santa Panagia (p. ). 98½ M. Mégara Iblea, not far from the site of the Greek colony of Megara Hyblea. On the left is the Penisola Magnisi, the ancient Thapsos, on the N. side of which lay the fleet of the Athenians during their expedition against Syracuse (p. ).

The train passes the small bay of Trogilos, where the fleet of Marcellus once anchored (p. ), and a tunny-fishery (tonnara), runs through a cutting, and skirts the limestone plateau near Cape Santa Panagia. To the left we have a fine view of the sea and the modern town, and at length reach the (115 M.) harbour-station of Syracuse (p. ).

From Messina to (8 M.) Reggio, a delightful trip, especially by morning light, either by one of the steamers mentioned at p. or by one of the ferry-boats (comp. p. ). To the left, nearly opposite Messina, is the little town of Villa San Giovanni (p. ), now in ruins, as are also the villages of Catona, Gallico, Archi, and others farther to the S.

Reggio (Alb. Veneto-Trentino, a temporary hotel-restaurant), before the earthquake of 1908 a town of 35,000 inhab., called Reggio Calabria to distinguish it from Reggio in the Emilia, lies at the W. base of the Aspromonte (p. ). The ancient Rhegium, originally a Eubœan colony, but occupied by new Messenian settlers in 723 B.C., has been destroyed eight times in war and twice by earthquakes (1783 and 1908). Its last disaster was most appalling in the upper quarters. Along the shore and in the piazzas the survivors are now living in huts. The Strada Reggio Campi above the town offers a beautiful view especially towards evening.

On the Voyage to Catania we enjoy a splendid view of the whole of the straits as far as the Punta del Faro (p. ), and later of the coast of Calabria from the Punta di Pellaro (p. ) to the Capo dell’ Armi. On the Sicilian coast rise the Monti Peloritani (p. ) and the majestic Mt. Ætna (10,958 ft.; Ital. Etna), the highest volcano in Europe, with its countless minor craters and the great Valle del Bove, the remains of the enormous oldest crater, 3 M. broad, bounded by rocky slopes of 1900–3900 ft. in height. The view is specially striking beyond Taormina (p. ), and we obtain also a good idea of the volume and the direction of the old lava-streams. After sixteen years’ quiescence fresh flows of lava were emitted in the Valle del Bove in 1908 and from the volcano’s S. slope in 1910.

Beyond Acireale (p. ) and Cape Molini, the N. limit of the broad Bay of Catania, we sight the Scogli de’ Ciclopi (p. ). As we enter the harbour of Catania we have a fine view of the S. side of Ætna.

Catania.—Arrival. The steamers anchor in the Nuovo Porto (Pl. F, G, 6), whence passengers are rowed (60 c.; with baggage 1 fr.) to the Dogana (Pl. F, G, 5) in the Porto Vecchio, a harbour very much contracted by the lava-stream of 1669 (see below).

Hotels. *Grande Bretagne (Pl. a; F, 4), Via Lincoln, R. 3½–6, B. 1½, déj. 3½, D. 5½ fr.; *Bristol & du Globe (Pl. c; E, 4), Via Santa Maria del Rosario, R. 3½–6 B. 1½ déj. 3, D. 4½ fr.; Centrale Europa (Pl. d; E, 5), cor. of the Piazza del Duomo and Via Raddusa, R. 2½–4, omn. ¾ fr., well spoken of; and others.

Restaurants. Marconi, Piazza Università 15, good; Savoia, Via Marletta 15, behind the Municipio.—Caffè Tricomi, Via Stesicoro Etnea 30; Caffè Amato, Via Stesicoro Etnea 151.—Birreria Svizzera, Via Stesicoro Etnea 139 (déj. 2½, D. 3 fr.), music in the evening, good.

Steamboat Agents. Società Nazionale, Piazza Duca di Genova 18 (Pl. F, 5); North German Lloyd, Munzone, Mineo, & Co., same piazza, No. 3.

British Vice-Consul, W. A. Franck.—Post & Telegraph Office (Pl. E, 4), Via Manzoni.—English Church Services.

Tramways. The chief line is from the railway-station (Stazione Sicula; Pl. H, 4) through Corso Vittorio Emanuele to the Piazza del Duomo (Pl. E, 5); then to the N. through Via Stesicoro Etnea to the ‘Ingresso’ of Villa Bellini (Pl. E, 2) and Piazza Gioeni.—Cab 40 (at night 50) c. per drive; first hour 1½ fr. (two-horse 2 fr. 30 c.).

Catania, a wealthy town of 162,000 inhab., the largest in Sicily after Palermo, the seat of a university, a bishop, and a natural science academy, has lately become the chief outlet for the products of the island, especially those of the extremely fertile environs. Katana, founded like Naxos by Eubœans, about 729 B. C., became famous as the home of Charondas, the framer of the earliest Greek code of law (about 640). In the Athenian and Syracusan war (p. ) it formed the Athenian base of attack. Katana was one of the first places in Sicily occupied by the Romans, and under their sway became one of the most populous towns in the island. In the middle ages it vied for a time with Palermo and Messina as a favourite residence of the Aragon sovereigns. It has repeatedly suffered severely from the eruptions of Mt. Ætna (especially in 122 B. C. and in 1669) and from earthquakes (1169 and 1693), and the present town has been built almost entirely since 1693.

From the Porto Vecchio, into which falls the brook Amenana after passing through the lava under the town, we walk through the Peschería (fish and provision market) to the—

Cathedral (Pl. E, 5; visible from the sea), begun by the Norman Roger I. with materials from the ancient theatre (p. ), but almost entirely destroyed by the earthquake of 1169. In the choir repose the Aragon sovereigns of the 14th cent.; in the right side-apse are treasured the remains of St. Agatha, who, like St. Rosalia (p. ), was one of the most famous saints of Sicily, and whose veil is said to have diverted the lava-stream of 1669 (Pl. B, 1–3) from the city at a point near the Benedictine monastery (see below). Opposite, on the right, is the monument of the viceroy Acuña (d. 1494), quite Spanish in style. By the second pillar on the right is the tomb of Vinc. Bellini, the composer, a native of Catania (1802–35).

In the Piazza del Duomo rises a fountain with an antique elephant in lava, bearing an Egyptian obelisk of granite. Past its N. side runs the Corso Vittorio Emanuele, with the Piazza dei Martiri and the statue of St. Agatha at its E. end (Pl. G, 5). We follow the Corso to the W. to the Via Sant’Agostino, by the church of that name (Pl. D, 5), and here turn to the N. past the entirely altered Roman Odeum (comp. p. ) to the Via del Teatro Greco. Here, near the corner on the right, at No. 37, is the entrance to the—

Ancient Theatre (Pl. D, 4, 5; custodian at No. 33; fee 50 c.), once a fine structure, but now so buried in lava that some parts of it can be explored only by candle-light. The foundations alone date from the Greek period.—In the Piazza Dante, a little to the N.W., is the suppressed Benedictine monastery of—

San Nicolò (Pl. C, D, 4), or San Benedetto, dating in its present form from the early 18th cent., with an imposing baroque church. The extensive buildings now contain barracks, a school, the civic museum, the library, and the observatory. The church-tower (entr. through the portal to the S. of the façade; gratuity) commands a panoramic *View of the town, Mt. Ætna, and the Sicilian and Calabrian coasts, which is finest before 9 a.m.

At the Piazza Dante begins the Via Lincoln (Pl. D-F, 4), the second great thoroughfare of the town running W. to E., partly hewn through the lava-stream of 1669. This street is crossed by the—

Via Stesicoro Etnea (Pl. E, 5–1), which intersects the whole town, from the Piazza del Duomo (see above) to the N. end. Here rise the chief public buildings of Catania, the Municipio (Pl. E, 5), the University, and the Prefettura (Pl. E, 4).

Farther to the N. is the Piazza Stesicoro; on its left side is the church of San Cárcere (Pl. E, 3), with an interesting Norman portal brought from the cathedral. Close by the N. part of a Roman Amphitheatre has been laid bare (greater diameter 138, smaller 116 yds.); the unusually large arena (77 by 55 yds.) is second only to that of the Colosseum (94 by 59 yds.).

Still farther to the N., on the left, is the entrance to the Villa Bellini (Pl. E, 2), a public park with fine views.

After returning to the Porto Vecchio we may follow the Via Scuto to the picturesque Castello Ursino (Pl. D, 6), dating from the time of Emp. Frederick II. (after 1239). The quarter to the E. of the castle is almost the only relic of the old town.

On the Voyage to Syracuse the steamer proceeds to the S.E. at some distance from the Piana di Catania (p. ), affording a splendid view astern of Mt. Ætna, and passes Capo Campolato, Capo Santa Croce (p. ), and the Bay of Megara.

As we enter the Bay of Syracuse, bounded on the N. by the plateau of Capo Santa Panagia (p. ), and on the S.E. by the low Penisola della Maddalena (177 ft.), the ancient Plemmyrion, we obtain an excellent idea of the site of the present island-city, and of the vast extent of the ancient city on the mainland to the N.W., stretching up the hill to the village of Belvedere (p. ).

The entrance to the inner bay of the Porto Grande, now much choked with sand, between the lighthouse at the end of the island and that of the peninsula, behind the cliff of La Galera, is only 1312 yds. across. In the swampy and in summer malarious plain on the W. bank of the harbour are the mouths of the rivers Anăpo and Ciani, the ancient Anapos and Kyane.

Syracuse.—Arrival by Sea. The steamers anchor near the landing-place at the Porta Marina (Scalo; comp. Map). Landing or embarkation 50 c., with baggage 1 fr.

Railway Stations. The Central Station (Stazione, see Map) is on the Floridia road (p. ), 1 M. to the N.W. of the town. The expresses run down to the Stazione Porto.

Hotels (advisable to ask charges beforehand). *Grand-Hôt. Villa Politi (V. P. on the Map), on the mainland, near and in the Latomia dei Cappuccini (p. ), with beautiful garden and fine views, R. 4–8, B. 1½, déj. 3½, D. 5, pens. 10–16, omn. 1½ fr; *Hôt. des Etrangers (formerly Casa Politi), near the Arethusa Fountain, similar charges; *Grand-Hôtel, Piazza Mazzini, close to the busy harbour, similar charges.—Second-class: Alb. Roma, Via Roma 64, R. 1¾–3 fr., well spoken of; Alb. Firenze, Via Roma 73, R. from 1½ fr; Alb. Cavour, Via Savoia, behind the Dogana, R. 1½–3 fr.; these three with restaurants (Ital. cuisine).

Café. Croce di Savoia, Piazza del Duomo.

Cabs. (Night fares from ½ hr. after sunset till sunrise. Fares should be ascertained before starting.) Per drive in the town (incl. harbour-station) 40 c., with pair 1 fr., at night 70 c. or 1½ fr.; to or from chief station 65 c. or 1½ fr., at night 90 c. or 1 fr. 90 c. (luggage over 25 kilos or 55 lbs. 25, over 50 kilos or 1 cwt. 50 c.); first hour 1½ or 2½ fr., each addit. ½ hr. 60 c. or 1½ fr.—For a long drive it is best to choose one’s own vehicle in the Piazza del Duomo. For an afternoon (noon till ½ hr. after sundown) 5 or 10 fr., whole day 10 or 20 fr. Cheaper fares may generally be agreed upon out of the season.

Steamboat Agents.—Società Nazionale, Via Ruggiero Settimo 38, close to the Dogana; Hungarian Adria Co., also Lloyd’s Agents, Gaet. Bozzanca & Figlio.

British Vice-Consul, Joseph Lobb.—Post & Telegraph Office, Via Roma.

English Church Service in winter.

One Day. The chief sights in the modern town are the Cathedral, the Museum, and the Arethusa Fountain (p. ). The greater part of the day should be devoted to the ancient town. The most interesting places there (the Euryelus excepted) may be visited by carriage in 3–4 hrs.: Latomia dei Cappuccini (p. ), Catacombs of San Giovanni (p. ), Amphitheatre (p. ), Hiero’s Altar (p. ), Greek Theatre (p. ; best towards sunset for the sake of the view). Walkers should ferry direct from the Prigioni in the town to the N. bank of the Porto Piccolo (10 c.).

Syracuse, Ital. Siracusa, the most populous town in Sicily in ancient times, and indeed the most important of all the Hellenic cities, now a mere shadow of its glorious past, with 27,000 inhab. only, lies on an island separated from the mainland by a narrow strait. It was founded under the name of Syracusae by Corinthians, in 734 B. C., on the island then called Ortygia, where a Phœnician settlement had perhaps already existed. Endless party conflicts between the nobles and the townspeople led in 485 to the intervention of the tyrant Gelon of Gela, who made Syracuse his residence. In alliance with Theron of Acragas (Girgenti) he defeated the Carthaginians at the battle of Himera in 480, the same year in which the victory of Salamis (p. ) saved the mother-country from destruction. The Syracusans thereafter gradually extended their sway over the greater part of Sicily till the year 415 when to their dismay the Athenians, instigated by Alcibiades, intervened in Sicilian politics, and with the aid of the neighbouring towns of Catana and Leontinoi (p. ) proceeded to besiege the city. In 413 the might of Athens was for ever shattered before the walls of Syracuse, but the dread of being attacked anew by the Carthaginians induced the Syracusans to entrust their government to the tyrant Dionysius I. (406–367), next to the Persian monarchs the most powerful prince of his age, who refortified and embellished the city. The tyrant Agathocles (317–289) conducted a brilliant expedition against Carthage, but without permanent success. The last phase of the glory of Syracuse was witnessed in the long reign of Hiero II. (275–216). As the Syracusans, after his death, allied themselves with Hannibal, their city was besieged by Marcellus in 214–212, and after its capture was sacked and destroyed. Since then it has never again taken any part in political life, but in spite of its downfall it is still one of the most interesting places in the whole of Sicily, while the beauty of its environs is hardly less fascinating than the monuments of its glorious past.

a. The Modern Town.

From the harbour-station (p. ) the broad Corso Umberto Primo (p. ) crosses the strait to the island on which lies the Modern Town, whose narrow winding streets are still of mediæval type. A pleasant walk, with a view of Mt. Ætna, is by the Foro Vittorio Emanuele Secondo and Passeggio Aretusa, leading from the Piazza Mazzini and the landing-place (p. ) along the harbour.

In the grounds at the S. end of the promenade is a statue of the famous mathematician Archimedes, who defended his native city against Marcellus. Near it is the Fontana Aretusa, enclosed by papyrus-shrubs. From this point the Via Maniace leads to the S.E. to the Castello Maniace, a Hohenstaufen castle at the S. end of the island, completed under Emp. Frederick II. in 1239, but now modernized. To the N. of the Fontana lies the Piazza del Duomo.

The Cathedral is built into a Doric temple, probably of Minerva, the beauty of which was extolled by Cicero in his oration against Verres (p. ). It stood on a basement of three steps, about 61 yds. long and 24 yds. broad. The ancient columns with their entablature still project on the N. side, and in the interior nineteen columns also are visible.

The Archæological Museum, opposite the cathedral, to the N.W., contains valuable antiquities, mostly Sicilian, from the earliest ages down to the Christian period. Adm. on week-days, Oct.–June 9–3, July-Sept. 8–2, 1 fr.; Sun. (not all rooms accessible) 10–2, free.

Ground Floor. In Room I, Early-Christian inscriptions and the sarcophagus of Adelfia (5th cent.) from the catacombs of San Giovanni (p. ). In Rooms III-V, Greek inscriptions, sarcophagi, cinerary urns, and architectural fragments. Room VI. Earthenware sarcophagi from Gela (6–5th cent. B. C.), Hellenistic and Roman sculptures. Room VII. Chiefly Greek sculptures. In Room VIII, a fine Venus Anadyomene (Hellenistic).

The Staircase and First Floor (Rooms XI and XVII-XIX) contain the ancient historical collection, showing the progress of Sicilian culture from the pre-Greek period (from the 15th cent.) down to the 5th cent. B. C.—Rooms XII, XIII. Greek vases from Sicily and Lower Italy, archaic bronzes and coins from ancient Sicily. Rooms XIV-XVI. Terracottas.

The mediæval and modern collections of the Museum are to be transferred to the Palazzo Bellomo, a building of the 15th cent., in the Via Capodieci running to the E. from the Fontana Aretusa.

The Via Cavour leads to the N. from the Piazza del Duomo to the Via Diana, where on the left are the ruins of the so-called Temple of Diana (keys at the barber’s opposite; fee 30 c.), but now believed to have been dedicated to Apollo. This is one of the most curious of Greek temples. In front stood two rows of six columns each. The side-walls were of unusual length and were each probably flanked by nineteen columns.

b. The Ancient City.

Long before the Athenian campaign (p. ) Ancient Syracuse had extended her boundaries far beyond her island of Ortygia and across the high plateau to the N. to the bay of Trogilos and the present tonnara near Cape Santa Panagia (p. ). The earliest extension consisted in the Achradina, the smaller half of which lay between the great harbour and the plateau, while the larger half occupied the E. margin of the latter, and was enclosed by a wall whose ruins still exist. Adjoining the Achradina on the W. were the Neapolis, or new city, on a terrace above the great harbour, and the quarter named Tyche after a temple of the goddess of Fortune. The Epipolae, the fifth and highest quarter, on the W. side of the plateau, was the chief base of the Athenian besiegers; but it was only completed after Dionysius I. had (about 402–385) enclosed the entire half of the plateau stretching from the Achradina wall westwards, with a huge city-wall, and had built the fortress of Euryelus at its W. end. The circumference of the city, which however embraced a good deal of unoccupied land, was thus no less than 17 M. Of the enclosing wall 10½ M. still exist.

We begin with the Achradina. The Corso Umberto Primo (p. ), the main street of the new suburb on the mainland, leads in 10 min. to a round piazza whence radiate the Floridia road, passing the central station, and the Catania and Noto roads. The remains of columns on the drilling-ground between this piazza and the small harbour probably belonged to a superb Agora or market-place.

From this point we follow the Catania road to the N., whence an avenue soon diverges to the right to the Porto Piccolo (ferry, see p. ), now choked with sand, and leads along the shore, below the suburb of Santa Lucia, and across a railway cutting, to (25 min.) the Capuchin Monastery (now a poor-house). Close by, on the right, is the entrance to the—

*Latomía dei Cappuccino (adm. 30 c.), one of the wildest and grandest of the old quarries of Syracuse, now clothed with rich vegetation. It was here probably that the 7000 Athenian prisoners of war languished in 413 B. C.

Following the road to the W. we skirt the plateau and pass the Cimitero to (10 min.) the road coming from the upper Achradina, and go on by a cart-road, whence, by the Latomia del Casale, we see the Catania road before us and the church of San Giovanni below, on the left.

San Giovanni occupies the W. part of an old Norman basilica; steps in the N.E. corner lead to the crypt of St. Marcian (4th cent.). A monk, who shows the church also if desired (fee ½–l fr.; ring, on the S. side, door to the E. of the vestibule), conducts us to the—

*Catacombs of San Giovanni, which like most of the catacombs of Syracuse and its environs, far surpass those of Rome in extent. The main passage of this great burial-place (4–7th cent. A. D.), 10 ft. high and 6 ft. wide, runs through the rock from W. to E. for 116 yds., and from it diverge short lateral passages ending in circular chambers. Of the mural decoration little is now left.

A little farther to the W. we cross the Catania road to the region of Neapolis, and follow the road leading to the Greek theatre. To the left, in 5 min., we reach the house of the custodian (½ fr.) of the Roman—

Amphitheatre, constructed in the time of Augustus, 153 by 130 yds. in area. In the arena lie many blocks of the marble parapet belonging to a restoration of the 3rd century.

About 120 yds. farther to the W. is the entrance, also on the left, to the great Altar of Hiero II. (30–50 c.). On this vast altar, 219 yds. long and 25 yds. broad and originally rising in two huge steps to a height of 34½ ft., were probably sacrificed the annual hecatombs of 450 bulls in memory of the expulsion of the tyrant Thrasybulus (466).

Opposite we see the Latomia del Paradiso, an ancient quarry 95–130 ft. deep, so-named from the most luxuriant vegetation which now clothes it (entrance through the gateway on the left). In its W. slope is the so-called Ear of Dionysius (entrance below, on the left), an S-shaped cavern, 71 yds. deep, 6–12 yds. wide, and 76 ft. high, tapering at the top, with remarkable acoustic properties. As the tyrant is said to have had prisons where from a certain spot he could hear every whisper, the tradition has been arbitrarily associated with this cavern.

The road next passes under the modern arches of the aqueduct and reaches, on the right, the *Greek Theatre (5th cent. B. C.), one of the largest in the Hellenic world. It is hewn in the rock, forming more than a semicircle. Its diameter is 147 yds.; 46 tiers of seats are still preserved; the eleven lower rows were covered with marble. Towards sunset we have a delightful *View of the town, the Porto Grande, the headland of Plemmyrion, and the sea.

Above the theatre is the so-called Nymphaeum, a grotto into which the aqueduct (see below) was led. On its left side the Via delle Tombe, hewn in the rock, ascends in a curve for 165 yds., with many lateral cuttings and tomb-chambers of the late-Roman age.

From the Catania road, ¼ M. to the N. of the branch-road to the Greek theatre, diverges to the left the New Euryelus Road, 3 M. long. It leads to the W., soon passing the Casa dei Gesuiti, to which walkers may ascend direct from the Nymphæum. It runs parallel with an Ancient Aqueduct (‘Acquedotto Galermi’), crosses the desolate plateau, very hot in summer, once the site of the Greek Neapolis and of Epipolae (p. ), and joins the old Euryelus road beyond the S. wall of Dionysius I. A little farther, where the road diverges to the left to the village of Belvedere and the Posto Semafórico or Telégrafo (617 ft.; fine view), is the Casa dei Viaggiatori (rfmts.; open from 15th Jan. to 15th May). Our road ends on the W. side of Euryelus, 130 yds. from the custodian’s house.

The *Euryelus (adm. 50 c.), the ‘outer fort’ of the Epipolæ, built about 400 B.C., at the junction of the N. and S. walls of Dionysius, is one of the best-preserved of ancient Greek fortifications. The five massive towers on the W. side, whence we survey the whole site of ancient Syracuse and enjoy a fine view ranging from Mt. Ætna to Calabria, are flanked with two deep moats hewn in the rock. In the first of these are subterranean apertures for sallying purposes.

We may return to Syracuse by the Old Euryelus Road. On the S. side of the plateau it joins the Floridia road, 1¼ M. from the station.