Syracuse (/ˈsɪrəkjuːs, -kjuːz/ SIRR-ə-kewss, -⁠kewz; Italian: Siracusa [siraˈkuːza] (listen); Sicilian: Sarausa [saɾaˈuːsa])[a] is a historic city on the Italian island of Sicily, capital of the Italian province of Syracuse. The city is notable for its rich Greek and Roman history, culture, amphitheatres, architecture, and as the birthplace of the pre-eminent mathematician and engineer Archimedes. 
This 2,700-year-old city played a key role in ancient times, when it was one of the major powers of the Mediterranean world. Syracuse is located in the southeast corner of the island of Sicily, next to the Gulf of Syracuse beside the Ionian Sea. It is situated in a drastic rise of land with 2,000 metres depths being close to the city offshore although the city itself is generally not so hilly in comparison.
 
The city was founded by Ancient Greek Corinthians and Teneans and became a very powerful city-state. Syracuse was allied with Sparta and Corinth and exerted influence over the entirety of Magna Graecia, of which it was the most important city. Described by Cicero as "the greatest Greek city and the most beautiful of them all", it equaled Athens in size during the fifth century BC. It later became part of the Roman Republic and the Byzantine Empire. Under Emperor Constans II, it served as the capital of the Byzantine Empire (663–669). Palermo later overtook it in importance, as the capital of the Kingdom of Sicily. Eventually the kingdom would be united with the Kingdom of Naples to form the Two Sicilies until the Italian unification of 1860.
In the modern day, the city is listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site along with the Necropolis of Pantalica. In the central area, the city itself has a population of around 125,000 people. Syracuse is mentioned in the Bible in the Acts of the Apostles book at 28:12 as Paul stayed there. The patron saint of the city is Santa Lucia, celebrated each 13th of December.
 
Even though most of the city landmarks can be found on the island of Ortigia, do not forget to visit the Neapolis area and the Archaelogical Museum Paolo Orsi housing findings from all parts of ancient Sicily. 
Plus, do not miss the chance to explore the nearby Marine protected area of Plemmirio and take a dip in its chill waters!
 
(From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)
 
 
University of Catania
The Didactic Unit of Architecture is located in a building once used as military barracks, located on the south edge of the island of Ortigia, in Siracusa. By the project for re-use, the University of Catania, in full synergy with the University Consortium "Archimede", has concretely implemented a strategic choice made in 1996-97, the year the school was established, i.e. paving the way for a sound university decentralisation in terms of a source of development and re-development of Siracusa’s historic centre, whose architectural and environmental value has been acknowledged with its inclusion in the World Heritage List.
From this perspective, the didactic unit, without neglecting the best architectural examples built over time on the whole planet, cannot help paying the utmost attention to the context within which it operates: the millenary palimpsest of Siracusa and the eight towns in the ‘Noto Valley’ (Caltagirone, Militello Val di Catania, Catania, Modica, Noto, Palazzolo, Ragusa Ibla e Scicli) included in the World Heritage List.
 
 
Let's explore the city together!
Solo travelling sure is cathartic, but have you tried travelling with ESN and dozens of Erasmus friends? We're sure you will fall in love with our vibe!
Our Welcome Week always ends with a trip to Syracuse, so why don't you join us?