Isola di Ortigia

It is the oldest part of the city of Syracuse. Its name comes from ancient Greek ortyx (ὄρτυξ) meaning "quail". Ortigia is very important to understand the origins of entire Syracuse, since the sources attest that there arose the first settlement of Corinthian settlers. From Porta Marina up to Maniace Castle (which represents the tip of the island), is a succession of springs and natural sources, among which the legendary Arethusa Fountain, with its papyrus. Other natural sources are Fountain of Slaves; a Miqwè (Jewish bath) most picturesque in Europe and Queen's Bath. More interesting are morphological underground. In Greek times Ortigia was political and religious center of the city, crossed by Via Sacra (current urban axis Via Dione-Via Roma) on which overlooked Artemision and Athenaion (now Cathedral). Ortigia was also the seat of political power of the tyrants. In Medieval times it was increasingly fortified: the most evident and great is Maniace Castle. In Spanish era, Ortigia was also the seat of the Chamber of Qeens.