A fascinating place in the heart of Syracuse that can be admired at night in all its beauty. The archaeological park of Neapolis reopens its doors for night visits. A special event re-proposed this year in memory of Calogero Rizzuto, director of the Park and one of his collaborators, who died in recent months due to Covid 19. History and beauty, therefore, open up to the spectators who will find themselves in the city of Archimedes in those days and who will thus be able to get to know the site from a different perspective. But what can visit on these special night visits? Let's find out together.

The ear of Dionysius can be seen during the nocturnal visits
The evocative ear of Dionysius of access to the latomia of Paradise

Night visits to the park of Neapolis, here is the calendar

A first appointment was on July 18, with the first visit at night. Now the new appointment will be the 22 and then on July 26. Other night visits are scheduled for August the 2, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 19, 23. The site will open from 19,30 to 22,30 with last admission at 22. In this way it is hoped an increase of visits, as happened in the past, before the health emergency we are experiencing. Among other things, with the reopening of the site in recent months, many visitors have rediscovered the park and its history. And in these days it is also possible to attend the shows of the review "Inda for single voices".

The cave of the Cordari site for nocturnal visits
The cave of the Cordari inside the archaeological park of Syracuse illuminated at night

The sites that can be seen in the night visits

The park, led by Rita Insolia after the untimely death of Rizzuto, opens some of its sites for night visits. In particular, the Greek Theater, the Ear of Dionysus, the Grotta dei Cordari and the Altar of Hieron. And probably other sites will also be opened, affected in recent days by a cleaning operation by the forestry workers. "Syracuse and its province are places frequented by tourists who love to combine sea and culture - said the regional councilor for cultural heritage Alberto Samonà-. Opening the places of culture during the evening means increasing a segment that would otherwise remain uncovered".

The archaeological park of Neapolis a bit of history

The park covers an area of ​​35 hectares. Includes the Greek Theater, a place of worship and large popular assemblies, the seat of public trials, but also a place chosen for the spectacles of antiquity. Its history begins in the Archaic age. Take advantage of the conformation of the Temenite hill where it lies. The Roman Amphitheater, elliptical in shape, carved into the rock. In the sixteenth century the Spaniards used the large square blocks that characterized it to build the defense bastions of Ortigia.

The Greek theater illuminated for night visits
The Greek theater is the setting for shows during the evening hours

And then theMacaw of Hieron, a grandiose monument with two entrances. Only the base of the building remains because it was demolished in the XNUMXth century by the Spaniards. Suggestive is theEar of Dionysius, which leads to the latomia of Paradise. The ear is an artificial cave, about 23 meters high and 5 to 11 meters wide. It has exceptional acoustic properties (sounds are amplified up to 16 times). To call it so it was Caravaggio, .

What to do to visit the site

To respect the rules on social distancing, it is necessary to book for night visits. Just use the Youline App, or connect to https://youline.eu/laculturariparte.html, or www.aditusculture.com. The cost of tickets is 10 euros full and 5 euros reduced. And then Sunday 2 August, instead there will be free admission as happens every first Sunday of the month.

The photos are taken from the Facebook page of the Archaeological Park of Syracuse, Eloro and Villa del Tellaro

Night visits to the archaeological park, history and beauty in Syracuse last edit: 2020-07-21T09:34:21+02:00 da Federica Puglisi

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