11/11/2025
Discovering Sicily with Dimora delle Balze //
Ortigia Island
Imagine being in a place surrounded by the beauty of Sicilian nature. This is what you can
experience every day at Dimora delle Balze, a place where time seems to stand still.
We have created a unique opportunity for you: guided tours to explore our territory and discover the hidden treasures that surround us. From the thousand-year history of Sicilian villages, to the majesty of unspoilt nature, to the colours and traditions that make this land unique in the world.
The Island of Ortigia is the oldest part of the city of Syracuse, located on the southeastern coast of Sicily, The name Ortigia, by which Syracuse has been known since Greek times, is said to derive from coturnice, which was widespread in the Mediterranean and Asia Minor, or quail, which was widespread in what for the Greeks was the known world, most common and oldest.
A number of splendid buildings of various eras stand there, tracing its history from the Greek period onward. The Temple of Athena (erected in the fifth century B.C.), now sees its columns and stepped basement incorporated into the more modern Cathedral of Syracuse, built in the 1600s in full Baroque style. This imposing building stands in the Cathedral Square of the same name, which, together with Montalto Square, represents one of the island’s nerve centers.
Religious architecture is also numerous, including the Church of Santa Lucia alla Badia, which houses a splendid work of art by Caravaggio, the “Burial of Santa Lucia.” Maniace Castle, which stands on the extreme tip of the island, once considered a strategic position to monitor what was happening on the open sea. Finally, a mention of Syracuse’s wonderful Tropical Aquarium.
Let yourself be surprised by the authentic beauty of Sicily, with experiences designed to excite you and make you feel part of a story that smells of authenticity and passion.
