The historic Cave of the Cordari of Syracuse, In 'Monumental Area of ​​Neapolis, it will finally reopen to the public afterwards almost 40 years. To celebrate the event, a theatrical performance entitled "The myth of Arethusa", directed by Guglielmo Ferro. The representation, which will narrate the origins of the most famous nymph of Syracuse, is produced by SRL moment in collaboration with the Archaeological and landscape park of Syracuse, Eloro, Tellaro village e Akrai and will be accompanied by light games (with 3D animations) ed sound effects. The splendid setting of the Grotta dei Cordari will then make everything more magical.

The myth of Alfeo and Arethusa

The show that will be staged at the Grotta dei Cordari in Syracuse goes back to the myth from which the Arethusa source ofOrtigia island. Alpheus, son of Ocean (Poseidon) fell in love with nymph Arethusa while she was taking a bath. To escape the son of the God, Arethusa landed just in SIRACUSA, where he asked the goddess for help Artemide. The latter, fulfilling his requests, turned it into a source. At this point Alfeo asked for help from Zeus to try to reunite with one's beloved. The father of the Gods then decided to transform Alfeo into a river (underground), which starting from Peloponnese flowed right into the Aretusa source of Ortigia. In this way the desperate Alfeo was able to find his beloved nymph.

Cave of the Cordari of Syracuse - Fonte Aretusa in Ortigia
Photo: © Fabio Cecchin - Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0).

The Grotta dei Cordari in Syracuse: a magical place in the center of "paradise"

The history of the Grotta dei Cordari in Syracuse is very ancient. Its name derives from the hemp workers who used this place for the rope production, taking advantage of the size and natural humidity of the cave. It is located inside the Latomia of Paradise, (an ancient limestone quarry first transformed into prigione and then into one splendid garden) a few steps from the most famous "Ear of Dionysius"And not far from the Greek Theatre. The Grotta dei Cordari still presents pylons e square blocks hanging from the ceiling, a legacy of the ancient quarrymen. The place was then used by Syracusan "cordari" to leave from the XNUMXth century (craft that fell out of use not many years ago). The cave was then closed in 1983, when it was also abandoned by the last of the rope-makers. Now, later 38 years, some maintenance and the most recent lockout cause Covid-19, the cave is finally ready for the eagerly awaited reopening.

The premiere of the show "The myth of Arethusa" by Guglielmo Ferro is scheduled for 17 July 20.30. This will be repeated later five times a day (every half hour) until the next August 28th. Tickets can already be purchased at the ticket office of the Monumental Area of ​​the Neapolis in Syracuse or on the website aditusculture.com.

Cover photo: © Salvo Cannizzaro - Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0).

The Grotta dei Cordari in Syracuse reopens to the public after 38 years last edit: 2021-07-08T09:00:00+02:00 da Antonello Ciccarello

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