Syracuse

A large panoramic window overlooking the Ear of Dionysius and the Latomie of Paradise in the Neapolis Archaeological Park. A unique venue where Sicily’s culinary traditions meet history. 


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A symbol of Syracuse's urban expansion at the time of the tyrant Gelon, Neapolis has now become a protected oasis, with an Archaeological Park located in an extraordinary natural setting. The thrill of walking through a theatre where Aeschylus staged his plays 2,500 years ago.


Neapolis Archaeological Park

Neapolis Archeological Park is a natural area full of finds from various historical eras of Syracuse’s history. 

Momento Restaurant

Every day we wish to offer you an unforgettable experience through the selection of the best products of our beloved Sicily. 

What we do

A menu dedicated to the visiting groups to recharg after the visit to one of the most beautiful and large Archaeological Park in the world!

The menu consists of: 

1. syracuse tapas
2. first or second course
3. 1/2 of still or sparkling water

**TAPAS to choose from**

- small panelle arancino
- sfincione
- calf meatball with pistachio


**FIRST COURSES to choose from** 

- mezze maniche with almond pesto and arugula
- bolognaise lasagna
- pennette with tomato, tuna, olives and parsley
- pasta timbale with aubergines
- penne with swordfish, olives, caper and tomatoes 

**SECOND COURSES to choose from** 

- pork filet with red wine, raisin, pine nut and smashed potatoes
- chicken with capsicum peppers and olives with white wine
- swordfish scaloppine with tomato and mozzarella 
- sea salad with fresh vegetables

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Lunch for groups at Syracuse Neapolis

Tapas

First or second course

Water

A symbol of Syracuse's urban expansion at the time of the tyrant Gelon, Neapolis has now become a protected oasis, with an Achaeological Park sunk in an extraordinary natural setting.

**Neapolis: an urban project that has been developed for 25 centuries**

In the 5th century B.C. Syracuse became capital of a kingdom that included Gela and many other territories in eastern Sicily. It was a period of great wealth and growth for the city, which the tyrant Gelon wanted to celebrate with new districts and new monuments. **Neapolis** is the heart of this urban expansion, and was created with the dual purpose of responding to growing demographic pressure, and flaunting the power of Syracuse with striking, majestic buildings. 
Occupying part of this ancient district there is now an archaeological park strongly advocated by **Luigi Bernabò Brea** (in the middle of the last century) to preserve and promote the monuments of the Greek and Roman periods. Created as a product of ancient urbanisation, these monuments have been saved from the threat of urbanisation today. As the Greeks would say: even the gods must bow to fate. In this case fate turned out to be a stroke of good fortune which has given us the **Neapolis Archaeological Park** where today it is possible to admire monuments of the ancient Mediterranean that are among the most important in the world. 

**An Archaeological Park with monuments unique in the world**

The park is located on a mountainous relief called the Temenite Hill, which divides the area into two parts: to the south you can take the monumental **Neapolis** route, while to the north are the Latomìe, mysterious cavities carved into the rock that were sometimes stone quarries, and sometimes prisons. 

**The Ancient Theatre, centre of theatrical culture in the Mediterranean**

The **Ancient Theatre**, built to Gelon's commission by the famous architect Damokopos, known as Myrilla, is the most famous monument in the archaeological park and one of the largest and most important in the ancient world. Syracuse was one of the centres for the spread of theatrical culture in antiquity - from the Doric comedies to the invention of mime, to plays such as the Aitnans, which Aeschylus wrote for this theatre and staged in 476 BC. Carved into the rock of the Temenite Hill, the theatre has an enormous cavea, with 67 tiers of steps. In the corridor are inscriptions in Greek with the name of Zeus Olympius in the centre.

**The Ear of Dionysius**

On the western side of the Latomìa of Paradise is the famous **Ear of Dionysius**, a 23-metre-high artificial cave with a peculiar S-shaped form. It is famous for its exceptional echo, thanks to which the tyrant Dionysius was able to listen from the outside to the words of prisoners held in the cave.

**The Grotta dei Cordari**

Not far away is the **Grotta dei Cordari** (Cave of the Ropemakers), so called because, thanks to the place’s natural humidity, ropes of all kinds were handcrafted there. The tradition lasted from the 17th century until a few decades ago. 

**The gladiators’ arena**

The **Roman Amphitheatre**, probably dating from the Augustan age, is the largest in Sicily and among the largest in existence. A typically Roman monument in a city with a strong Greek imprint, it has an elliptical cavea on three levels with a portico above. In antiquity, it included a complex system of openings to ease the flow of spectators, a corridor parallel to the arena for gladiator and animal access, and a dungeon to house machinery. 

**The altar for sacrifices to the gods**

The **Altar of Hieron II** is the grandiose structure built by the last of the tyrants of Syracuse. It was almost 200 metres long and over 20 metres wide; today only the part excavated in the rock remains. Sacrifices were made on the table top, which was accessed via two decorated ramps. The altar was dedicated to Zeus Eleutherios; celebratory festivities included the sacrifice of as many as 450 bulls.

**The Latomìa of Paradise**

The Latomìa of Paradise is the westernmost of the Latomìe that encircled the ancient city. Adjacent to the theatre, it is an enchanted place surrounded by lush flora - Mediterranean cypresses, olive trees, pines, date palms, ficus, citrus and pomegranate trees - where nature peacefully invades the archaeological remains, products of human history.


AN EXTRAORDINARY TIMELINE OF THE HISTORY OF ANCIENT SYRACUSE

A symbol of Syracuse's urban expansion at the time of the tyrant Gelon, Neapolis has now become a protected oasis, with an Achaeological Park sunk in an extraordinary natural setting. The thrill of walking through a theatre where Aeschylus staged his plays 2,500 years ago.

Neapolis Archeological Park

MomentoRestaurant

Via Luigi Bernabò Brea, 2, 96100 Sicily

What we do

Tastings

Events

Lunches

Dinners

Our Menu

Le Nostre Degustazioni

Lunch for groups at Syracuse Neapolis