Laowai

Syracuse was founded in 734 or 733 BC by Greek settlers. It was a very important area – rivaling Athens even. So in the middle of town are super old ruins surrounded by lots of baroque buildings that came after some big earthquakes around 1600. Everything is made of layer upon layer of history. The roads are tiny and everything except the big churches seems to be crumbling around the edges. We stayed in the old historic part of town called Ortiga. 

Lots of cats

Easter treats – completely different than Zurich Easter treats.

Claire likes the marzipan

The next day we were off to see some more super old stuff. We saw a Greek theatre that was carved into a big hill of rock. And we saw something called the Ear of Dionysius – an old stone quarry that was also used as a prison in ancient times. Again we discovered that it was a bit hard to tell what we were looking at. It was interesting but I would have loved some explanations with our entrance fee. 

The theatre was partly closed because they were getting it ready for a show. So cool that they still have performances!

We bought some granitas from a friendly and talkative Sicilian man (chocolate and strawberry).

The next morning Brian and I went to the street market and got some treats for a picnic that we had planned for the next day.

Up next – a hike along the sea