9th June - Ortiga, Siracusa, Sicily, Italy

We left London Gatwick for the island of Sicily in Italy, whilst having been to many Italian cities, the island of Sicily has always fascinated me, Sicily was the starting point for the unification of Italy by Giuseppe Garibaldi in 1860, following this Sicilians voted for unification of Italy and this took place under King Vittorio Emanuele II.  However this brought little but poverty.  By the end of the 19th Century emigration was the only escape from poverty and this led to many villages losing their men folk to America, Argentina and Mexico.  This bred the mafia and constant conflict with the government and Mussolini.  Today Sicily is still considered a differnt place to the rest of Italy.

The other fascination with Sicily was the geology, the island being dominated by the imposing threat of Mount Etna, Europe's largest active volcano, but the whole island is formed from volcanic eruptions.  As we flew into Catania Etna was there on the left hand side of the plane and smouldering away.

We stayed in the village of Ogina, about 20 minutes south of the city of Siracusa, and it was here that we visited on our third day on the island.  The city has a huge emphasis on Greek heritage, and the island of Ortiga was once known as the loveliest city in the world. Siracusa gave the world architectural beauty with a Baroque heart.  Ortiga itself has facades framed by wrought iron balconies.  The city was founded in 733 BC, by Corinthian settlers.  Over time Siracusa rose to become supreme Mediterranean power of its age under Dionysius the Elder.

Ortiga is the cultural island at the heart of Greek the city and while today it has a grand Baroque and Catalan feel, it is informal, intimate and very cultured.  It was here we visited, parking outside the city and walking across the main bridge Ponte Nuova to the island.

Graced with two natural harbours, and fresh springs the island was dedicated to the huntress Artemis.  As you enter the island you pass the Temple of Apollo, the oldest city temple in Sicily, dating back to 565 BC.  The temple itself is thought to have functioned in the past as both church and mosque.

Walking past the temple we were soon among the narrow lanes with balconies and street lamps.

We walked around the east side of the island along the fortifications that over look the sea.

A facade in front of a church

More windows shutters and balconies that had colour and ambiance to the lanes.

Turning towards the Piazza Duomo a silhouette of the Duomo.

Sandstone walls weathered by the rain and wind.

More balconies looking north from the Piazza.

The Duomo, a presence over the Piazza Duomo.

Starting life as a 5th century temple dedicated to Athena was converted into a Christian. cathedral in AD 640.  The exterior is a rich Baroque facade with a mixture Greek and Norman influences.

All around the Piazza were photographic opportunities.

The door of Chiesa Santa Lucia alla Badia, along with the twisted barley-sugar columns.

A view of the Piazza looking north from the church.

A chandelier glows from behind an open window.

 

Views down to the west side of the island and the sea.

The sea wall fortifications on the west side.

More narrow lanes.

The fortifications on the east side.  There was a small beach on the left hand side that was packed!.

We had dinner over looking the Fonte di Diana, situated at the south end of the Via Roma in the Piazza Archimede.  It looks as old as some of the other sights in this area, but in fact was constructed at the start of the 20th century.  Diana is another name for Artemis, to whom this city is dedicated

After dinner we made our way back to the villa.  I was really impressed with Ortiga a real jewel.