Parco archeologico della Neapolis
Archaeological area of Syracuse with a Greek theatre, Roman amphitheatre, Ara di Ierone (altar of Hiero II), quarries and the Orecchio di Dionisio (Ear of Dionysius).
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About the museum
Neapolis was one of the five districts of ancient Syracuse, the “new city” of the Greek and Roman periods, and it preserves the city’s most famous monuments. The archaeological park occupies the northern part of the district, covering about 240,000 square metres, and contains remains from prehistory to late antiquity.
Among the main remains are the Greek theatre, in its present form from the 3rd century BC but in use already from the second half of the 5th century BC, the Roman amphitheatre, whose date is debated, the Ara di Ierone II, a large altar for public sacrifices, and the Via dei Sepolcri, cut into the rock and lined with Byzantine hypogea. In the background open the Paradiso and Santa Venera quarries, former stone quarries with spectacular caves such as the Grotta dei Cordari and the Orecchio di Dionisio. At the eastern end lies the so-called tomb of Archimedes, a Roman tomb with a facade carved into the rock.
The park was laid out by the Soprintendenza (heritage authority) for eastern Sicily between 1952 and 1955, with funds from the Cassa per il Mezzogiorno, based on the conservation plan of Paolo Orsi and Luigi Bernabò Brea, to protect the monuments from urban expansion. Today it forms part of the Parco archeologico e paesaggistico di Siracusa, Eloro, Villa del Tellaro e Akrai.
Highlights
- Greek theatre from the 3rd century BC
- Roman amphitheatre
- Orecchio di Dionisio and Grotta dei Cordari in the Paradiso quarry
- Ara di Ierone II (altar of Hiero II)
- Via dei Sepolcri with Byzantine hypogea
- So-called tomb of Archimedes
- Operated by
- Parco archeologico e paesaggistico di Siracusa, Eloro, Villa del Tellaro e Akrai (Regione Siciliana)
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €14 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €7European Union citizens aged 18 to 25 (50% discount) |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 17 · Free admission for under-18s; children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. |
| Visitors with disabilities | freecompanion free · Free admission for people with disabilities and one companion. |
| Groups | –Free admission for groups of students from EU schools accompanied by their teachers, by prior booking. |
Free admission: Free admission on the first Sunday of every month and on special occasions announced by the Assessorato regionale dei Beni culturali (Sicilian regional cultural heritage department).
Also free for teachers, journalists, ICOM members, EU tourist guides and interpreters, and other categories set out in regional rules.
Accessibility
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Kids & families
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Getting there & parking
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Amenities & dining
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Events & venue rental
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