Piazza Archimede is the elegant heart of Ortigia: a crossroads of noble palaces around the theatrical Fountain of Diana, dedicated to the myth that gave the island its origin.
The fountain, by Giulio Moschetti (1907), stages the myth of the nymph Arethusa: Artemis (Diana) rises at the centre, while at her feet Arethusa turns into a spring and Alpheus tries to reach her among sea horses and tritons.
Around the square stand palaces spanning seven centuries of architecture, from the 15th-century Palazzo Platamone with its mullioned windows to the eclectic buildings of the early 20th century. The square is named after Archimedes, Syracuse's greatest son, the genius who defended the city from the Romans with his machines.
Practical tips
- Stop to admire the fountain's details in the evening, when the lighting transforms it.
- Via Maestranza, the street of noble palaces, starts here: walk it with your nose in the air.
