Associazione Città Italiane Patrimonio Mondiale UNESCO

On the Acremonte plain, the ancient Greeks built Akrai to defend Syracuse. Set in this crown is the jewel of the “smallest Greek theatre in the world” and the Temple of Cybele.
The modern city charms visitors with its churches, extraordinary Baroque architecture and wonderful interiors, designed and built by unknown persons and craftsmen, whose skills are those of real masters. In the church of Our Lady of the Annunciation, Antonello da Messina gave the world one of the most famous paintings in the history of art - The Annunciation, now housed in the Museo Bellomo in Syracuse. The church of the Immaculate Conception still houses an exceptional Madonna con Bambino by Laurana, one of the distinguished sculptor’s most inspiring works.
No less striking are several buildings in Liberty style.
Visitors to the ancient quarters surrounding the Orologio and Castello are faced with long, winding steps and alleys made of white basalt.
The Castello is built over the ruins of a mediæval fortress. Both afford a spectacular view over the Valle dell’Anapo, an area of unalloyed natural and scenic beauty.
A visit to the Cemetery offers visitors the chance of enjoying a view of aristocratic burial chambers, handcrafted by local master stonemasons.
The Gardens are the city’s pride and joy and a wide range of flora and rare shrubs flourish here.