Mura Dionigiane

Dionysian Walls were commissioned by tyrant Dionysius of Syracuse between 402 BC and 397 BC to fortify the plateau. Completely encircled ancient city of Syracuse for a perimeter of 21 km and would gather at the highest point, at Eurialo  Castle. Walls are considered the most extensive in the classical world, surpassing even those Aurelian of Rome. Built with limestone extracted from nearby quarries, they are within the "World Heritage" by UNESCO. Originally they included several doors, some of which are still visible, especially in the north. The towers were 14. For the construction of entire Walls were employed 70,000 slaves and 6,000 oxen. In the second half of the eighteenth century travelers who visited Syracuse as part of the Grand Tour described imposing Walls: Patrick Brydone, in 1770, gives a general description; Jean Houël, in 1777, saw the remains of the Walls that surrounded to its full extent. Currently the city wall is only partially visible.