The province of Syracuse is located in the southeastern part of Sicily and borders the provinces of Catania and Ragusa. The Ionian Sea washes its coasts both to the east and to the south.
Its 21 municipalities cover an area of 2,109 km², with a total population of 402,000 inhabitants. The entire territory represents an unparalleled tourist attraction.
This area of Sicily tells the story of more than three millennia of civilization and features an extraordinarily rich and diverse cultural heritage. Its architecture brings together styles from different eras (Greek, Roman, and Baroque). The city of Syracuse, founded in 734 BC, became the capital of Magna Graecia in the 5th century BC, rivaling Athens first and later Rome. Praised by Cicero as the greatest and most beautiful of all Greek cities, it has been a cultural hub rich in traditions, food and wine, and folklore. Many famous figures lived here: foremost the great genius Archimedes, but also the writer Elio Vittorini, the archaeologist Paolo Orsi, the poet August von Platen, and many others.
The province of Syracuse has the highest number of nature reserves in Sicily, while Portopalo di Capo Passero is the southernmost municipality in Italy. Its coastline, stretching for over 100 km, features some of the most beautiful beaches in the country.
This cultural and environmental richness is also recognized by UNESCO: the province of Syracuse has the privilege of hosting two World Heritage Sites:
- The Late Baroque Towns of the Val di Noto, including Noto and Palazzolo Acreide;
- Syracuse and the Rock Necropolis of Pantalica, which also includes Cassaro, Ferla, and Sortino.
