Ortigia is the heart of Syracuse, an island laden with history and millennia-old tales. Here, myths and legends are intertwined with the city, giving rise to stories that still fascinate today. From the Fountain of Arethusa to the ancient temples, every corner holds traces of a past where the line between history and myth dissolves. To discover these stories is to enter a world of gods, heroes and symbols that have marked the identity of Ortigia.
The legend of Arethusa and Alphaeus
Ortigia holds one of the oldest stories of Greek mythology. Arethusa was a nymph devoted to Artemis, linked to water and freedom. During a stop in a river, she attracted the attention of Alphaeus, a river god who fell in love with her. Her pursuit prompted Arethusa to flee to Ortigia, where Artemis, to save her, turned her into a spring.
Alphaeus did not give up. He asked Zeus to allow him to join her and, crossing the sea, he joined her waters with those of the Fountain Arethusa. Even today, the spring is one of the symbolic places of Syracuse, a link between myth and territory that continues to live on through time.
Myths related to the Temple of Apollo
The Temple of Apollo in Ortigia is the oldest Doric temple in Sicily, but in addition to its archaeological importance, it is linked to mythological tales dating back to Greek times. Apollo, god of the sun, prophecy, and music, was revered as the city's protector, and the temple dedicated to him symbolized his presence in Syracuse.
According to one tradition, the cult of Apollo arrived on the island with Greek colonists from Corinth, who chose to erect a shrine in his honor to obtain his protection. Some legends tell that the god had blessed Syracuse, making it one of the most prosperous cities in the Mediterranean.
Another story links the temple to the famous oracle of Delphi. Apollo's priests are said to have predicted the city's fate and its rulers consulted the oracle before making important decisions. The god's influence in political and religious life was so strong that the temple did not lose its value even when it was converted into a church in the Christian era.
Even today, among its ruins, the Temple of Apollo preserves the echo of an ancient tradition, in which myth and history are intertwined in the heart of Ortigia.
Archimedes and the golden crown
The legend of Archimedes and the golden crown is just one of many stories linking the Syracusan genius to the city. Archimedes was not only a mathematician but also an engineer in the service of Syracuse, and his inventions were decisive during the siege of the Romans in 212 BC.Â
According to some reconstructions, his war machines were tested in the vicinity of Maniace Castle, an imposing fortress overlooking Syracuse's natural harbor. The Neapolis Archaeological Park is also closely linked to his figure: here is the Ear of Dionysius, an artificial cave with extraordinary acoustics, which according to tradition was studied by Archimedes himself.
The legend of the Callipygian sisters
The legend of the Callipygian sisters is related to the cult of Aphrodite Callipigia, an aspect of the goddess of beauty worshipped in ancient Greece. In Syracuse, the cult of Aphrodite was widespread, and the Temple of Apollo, the oldest in Sicily, may have been one of the places where rituals dedicated to the goddess took place.Â
Some artistic evidence related to the cult of Aphrodite Callipigia is preserved in the Paolo Orsi Archaeological Museum, where one can admire artifacts that tell the story of the relationship between the city and its deities. The story of the two sisters, who celebrated beauty by building a temple, is part of a larger context of myths related to aesthetics and femininity in the Greek world.
The legend of the Pillirina
The Pillirina Cave is located in the Plemmirio Marine Reserve, an area of extraordinary beauty characterized by sheer cliffs and seabed rich in biodiversity.Â
According to legend, a young Syracusan woman fell in love with a sailor, but their relationship was thwarted by her family. The two lovers met secretly in the cave until one day the young man never returned. Desperate, the girl threw herself into the sea, and ever since, on full moon nights her spirit is said to still appear in the cave. This place, now a destination for hiking and diving, retains an evocative atmosphere, amplified by the folk tale that surrounds it.