An amazing 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 tours. A special event re-proposed this year in memory of Calogero Rizzuto, director of the Park and one of his collaborators, who passed away in recent months due to Covid-19. History and beauty, therefore, open to spectators who will be in the city of Archimedes in those days and who has the possibility to get to know the site from a different perspective. But what can be visited in these special night tours? Let’s find it out together.
Night tours to the park of Neapolis, here is the calendar
The first night tour took place July 18. New date will be on 22 and 26 of July. Other night tours are scheduled for August 2, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 19, 23. The site will be open from 7.30pm to 10.30pm with last entry at 10pm. In this way they hope 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 “Inda for solo voices”.
Sites to visit during night tours
The park, after Rizzuto’s untimely death, is directed by Rita Insolia. It opens some of its sites for night tours. In particular, the Greek Theater, the Ear of Dionysius, the Grotta dei Cordari and the Ara di Ierone. And probably other sites will also be opened, in recent days treated with cleaning intervention by the Forestry workers. “Syracuse and its province are places frequented by tourism that loves to combine sea and culture – said the regional councilor for cultural heritage Alberto Samonà. Opening the places of culture during the evening and night means increasing a segment that otherwise would remain uncovered”.
Neapolis archaeological park: a bit of history
The park covers an area of 35 hectares. It includes the Greek Theater, a place of worship and large popular assemblies, the seat of public trials, but also a place chosen for the shows of antiquity. Its history begins in the archaic age. Take advantage of the conformation of the Temenite hill where it is located. The Roman amphitheater, elliptical in shape, carved into the rock. In the 16th century the Spaniards used the large square blocks that characterized it to build the defense bastions of Ortigia.
And then the Altar of Hieron, a grandiose monument with two entrances. Only the base of the building remains because it was demolished in the 16th century by the Spaniards. Suggestive is the Ear of Dionysius, which leads to the latomy of Paradise. The ear is an artificial cave, about 23 meters high and 5 to 11. wide. It has exceptional acoustic properties (sounds are amplified up to 16 times). To name it so was Caravaggio.
What to do to visit the site
To comply with the rules on social distancing, it’s necessary to book for night tours. Just use the Youline App, or connect to https://youline.eu/laculturariparte.html, or www.aditusculture.com. Tickets costs 10 euros or 5 euros reduced. And then on Sunday, August 2, instead there will be free admission as it 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
