My abiding memory of the park in Syracuse will be the absolute appalling signage. This place is really marked by neglect. Quite a bit is fenced off for no explained reason. The modern ticket office at the entrance is closed and handwritten sings point you to a shack at the end of the tourist tat shops in the car park to actually buy the not cheap tickets. One or two boards near the entrance show maps and a QR code, which has been scrawled over by black felt tip to make them unusable. Maybe to promote the guides? Who were numerous around the more interesting places, boring coach parties in thick accents. To add to the frustration of having no sign boards whatsoever around the site explaining anything about the ancient remains, there were signs explaining about the artworks scattered around created by some Polish sculptor. And the tour groups added nothing to the atmosphere, especially the group that burst out into a rendition of Y Viva Espana in the caves. Ok one way to show the audio qualities of the place, but not the most appropriate!
The site is also really two sites. You have to come out of one and re-enter the other. There is no explanation of this. Fortunately the tour groups largely leave the second site (which has ruined temples and stadium) alone.
So this is the ancient quarry. Also called the Garden of Paradise after being planted with orange and olive trees
The so-called Ear of Dionysius, whose acoustic properties wee tested by the Y Viva Espana sing tour group....
The Greek theatre here is magnificent. It had an estimated capacity of 16,000
This is the other side of the site, including the Roman Amphitheatre
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