Giace de la Sicania al golfo avanti un'isoletta che a Plemirio ondoso è posta incontro, e dagli antichi è detta per nome Ortigia... Virgilio, Eneide, Canto III The Greek influence represent only a part of Siracusa's magnificent history; Siracusa has been Sicilian, Arab, Roman, Bizantine, Normann, Swabian, Aragonese, Catalan, and Borbonic and the town is full of remarkable vestiges of all these historical periods. An ideal starting point for a trip around Syracusa is Ortigia, tha heart of the city. Piazza Archimede would be the first place to see, this square was considered the richiest and most elegant part of the city until the end of the nineteensixties. Other places not to be missed in Ortigia are Piazza Duomo, a square which is baroque in style. Here one can admire the cathedral, built around the remains of the Temple of Athena (fifth century B.C.), the Fountain of Aretusa where Papyrus grows naturally as it does along the banks of the River Ciane and Palazzo Bellomo (13 th – 15 th century) is the seat of the Regional Museum of Medieval and Modern Art. The most famous piece therin is “the Annunciation” by Antonello da Messina. It is impossible to sum up the beauty of the isle of Ortigia, the old city of Siracusa: however if you happen to go there following precise itineries or trusting in luck you'll always meet the sea, the big natural port which is extremely beautiful at sun set, the market, the various monuments, and the street smells. Places to visit: Noto, famous for its Baroque architecture, and since 2002 it has been part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Vendicari Natural Reserve, wonderful natural oasis, 35km moving south of Siracusa, halfway between Noto and Pachino; the most important necropolis of the Mediterranean, Pantalica; Fiume Ciane Natural Reserve, only ten minutes from the old town of Ortigia; Plemmirio , marine protected sea coast, founded 2005.