• Archimedes: the genius who held Rome at bay for three years

    BySirakù

    Did you know that… Archimedes kept Rome at bay for three years? Archimedes of Syracuse has become a part of popular culture thanks to the story of his bathtub and his “Eureka!” moment. It’s a true story, but it’s an oversimplification. What’s less often mentioned is that he was also one of the most extraordinary military engineers of antiquity—and he proved it in the most…

  • The Cathedral is a Greek temple

    BySirakù

    Did you know that…The Cathedral of Syracuse is one of those places that rewards a second look. The baroque facade is beautiful, but if you pause and examine the building's sides, you notice something odd: the Doric columns emerging from the lateral walls are far too ancient for a 17th-century church. It's not a coincidence. The cathedral is built on top of, and literally, around...

  • Arethusa: the nymph who chose Syracuse

    BySirakù

    Did you know that… There's a spring along the Ortigia waterfront where freshwater rises just metres from the open sea. It's not modern engineering — it's been here for over 2,700 years, and behind it is a story worth knowing. Mythology tells us that Arethusa was a huntress nymph in the service of Artemis, solitary...