What's on at the Greek Theater?

September 22

Well, not much in September, but in high season there are Classical Greek performances in Siracusa's 5th Century B.C. Greek Theater. The theater was built for an audience of 15,000, and some of Aeschylus' tragedies premiered here.

5th century Greek Theater, Siracusa

In the same archeological area is the Tomb of Archimedes, the Greek scientist, and a Roman amphitheater. And in Ortigia, the small island and original Greek settlement of Siracusa, is the temple of Apollo. There are only a few Doric columns still standing, but this 6th century B.C. Greek temple is the oldest in Europe.

The Duomo in Siracusa has been renovated recently, and is another Baroque era Cathedral. , at least the facade is Baroque. Inside are Greek Doric elements such as the outer columns and the fairly narrow nave; this is from the Greek Temple of Minerva.  So a Greek temple became a Christian church, then a mosque, and finally the current Sicilian Baroque Cathedral.  

The Duomo in Siracusa

We had lunch at a small salumeria/pescaria---that sells all manner of Sicilian food products, including bottarga. Don't spread the word; we only bought a few ounces.

This was my tagliere of seafood that included bottarga, tonno, spada. (Swordfish), and other fish. This was the best meal of all...Sicilian seafood. The little trattoria/salumeria, Fratelli Borgia, is a slow food place.

Fratelli Borgia at the Siracusa market

 Last night Virginia and I shared seafood couscous for dinner...another speciality and food from the Saracen influence in Sicily. 

We have an early start on Tuesday since we are visiting Taormina and Mt. Aetna today. My Italian has helped us get by, but I definitely have to hit the books and audio when we return to Washington, D.C. Hervé has a natural talent for languages, so his Italian has been irreplaceable for this trip.

Ciao, David