Created in 1955 to gather all the archaeological wonders of the ancient Syracuse into a single site, the Archaeological Park of the Neapolis is a real open-air museum that allows visitors to relive the ancient times of the city, from the prehistoric to the late ancient and byzantine age.
The Park includes the Greek theater, maybe the most significant testimony of ancient theater architecture: in the past, it was the main center of the city life and it was built in the fifth century BC by the architect Damacopos and, between the III and II centuries BC, it was restored on Hieron’s request. A clear crack in the rock separates the Theater from the rest of the archaeological area: the Latomie, that are quarries used for the extraction of cubes of rock. Among the most important traces, there is the Ear of Dionysius, whose name comes from the legend that narrates that the tyrant Dionysus could hear even the lowest whispers of his prisoners from above, thanks to the impressive acoustics.
Finally, within the park visitors can admire the remains of an ancient Roman amphitheater, with an imposing size and dating back to early Imperial age. The visible remains are part of the underground, where there were several scenic machineries.

Useful information
Address: via Teatro Greco, Syracuse
Contact details: Ph.: +39093166206 / +39093165068 – email: amministrazione@thekeygroup.eu /soprisr.uo2@regione.sicilia.it
Visit times: Every day from 9 a.m. until one hour before the sunset (ie. until the 28th of February from 9 a.m. to 4.30 p.m., until the 30th of March, from 9 a.m. to 5.30 p.m.; from the 1st of April and during summer from 9 a.m. to 7.15 p.m.). It closes at 5 p.m. during the days of the performances. On Sundays and holidays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Ticket cost: € 10.00. Free entrance on the first Sunday every month; for people under 18; for disabled people and their helpers.