There is a precise moment when Ortigia, the ancient heart of Syracuse, stops being "just" a monumental island and becomes a pure sensory experience. That moment is spring. While the rest of Italy slowly sheds its winter coats, the April light here begins to play with the white limestone, making the Baroque palaces appear almost iridescent. Visiting Ortigia during this period means enjoying the labyrinth of alleys without the sweltering heat of August and, above all, without the peak-season...

Easter in Syracuse is not about large, spectacular events or grand processions like in other cities in Sicily. And that is exactly its strength. Here, Holy Week is experienced in a more intimate way, through religious rituals, silence, the narrow streets of Ortigia, and an atmosphere that shifts, without being forced. If you are thinking about spending Easter in Syracuse, it is important to know what to expect: less “postcard-style fo lklore” and more authenticity. Easter traditions ...

In March, in Syracuse, it only takes stopping in front of a pastry shop to realise that it is time for Sfincia di San Giuseppe . You recognise it immediately: irregular in shape, fried, topped with ricotta cream and often decorated with pistachio or candied orange peel. It is one of the most sought-after Sicilian desserts at this time of year, not only because of the 19 March celebration, but because it tells a story that goes beyond the feast itself. Sfincia di San Giuseppe comes from an old...