The Temple of Apollo in Syracuse
At the center of Largo XXV Luglio in Ortigia one can see the remains of the oldest Doric temple of Magna Graecia available to us, the Temple of Apollo, dating from the 6th century B.C.
As with many ancient monuments, this one is located on a much lower level than that of the street level around it, owing to the accumulation of debris over the centuries that raised it.
For years the original temple was hidden due to its subsequent transformations into a Byzantine church, then later converted into a mosque (an inscription in Arabic remains), and then returned to the church during the Norman period (there is a lancet window in the cella wall, which reveals the level of the soil in the 12th century). Following this final conversion it was then deconsecrated, partially demolished and turned into a barracks during the Spanish period.
In 1860, however, preliminary evidence of the ancient temple was found hiding in what was then the barracks, and between 1938 and 1942 the remains of the temple were freed from the modern additions and at last excavated.
The building is conserved in good condition, and, despite having lost most of its columns, still exhibits a long stretch of the cella wall. In one corner, two columns and a fragment of an architrave give an idea of the imposing size of the ancient building.
The temple was, as was everything from the same period, covered by decorative, colored terracotta, the remains of which are now on display at the Archaeological Museum “Paolo Orsi”.
On the side of the piazza opposite the ruins one can reach the street of markets, colorful and full of local produce. A visit to the markets is merited even if you are in a rush, even offering the possibility to eat on site (at lunchtime only).
How to Reach the Temple of Apollo from the Algilà Ortigia Charme Hotel
The Temple of Apollo in Syracuse is located a few hundred meters from the Hotel Algilà n Largo XXV Luglio in Ortigia. One is advised, therefore, to make the journey on foot.
Visitor Information.
At the moment, visiting the remains of the temple is not permitted. The ruins, however, are surrounded by a piazza and are enclosed by a simple railing, so you can easily admire the temple’s remains from the outside.
There are no major architectural barriers around the fence. In the morning the visit can be combined with a walk through the picturesque market of Ortigia.
