Syracuse, Sicily
Syracuse
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| Comune di Syracuse | |
From top left: Ortygia island, where Syracuse was founded in ancient Greek times, The Basilica of the Madonna delle Lacrime as viewed from Neapolis Archaeological Park in the mainland, Greek Theatre, Palazzo Dell'Orologio, Monument to Archimedes in Piazza Archimedes, Cathedral of Syracuse, Ortygia Bridges, Fountain of Diana | |
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Flag Coat of arms | |
Syracuse Location of Syracuse in Italy Syracuse Syracuse (Sicily) | |
| Coordinates: 37°04′09″N 15°17′15″E / 37.06917°N 15.28750°E | |
| Country | Italy |
| Region | Sicily |
| Province | Syracuse (SR) |
| Frazioni | Arenella, Belvedere, Carrozziere, Cassibile, Fanusa, Fontane Bianche, Isola, Ognina, Plemmirio, Punta Milocca, Terrauzza |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Francesco Italia |
| Area | |
• Total | 207.78 km2 (80.22 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 17 m (56 ft) |
| Population (2025) | |
• Total | 115,636 |
| • Density | 556.53/km2 (1,441.4/sq mi) |
| Demonym(s) | Syracusan, Syracusian (en) Siracusano (it) |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) |
| Postal code | 96100 |
| Dialing code | 0931 |
| Patron saint | Saint Lucy |
| Saint day | 13 December |
| Website | comune.siracusa.it |
Syracuse (/ˈsaɪrəkjuːs, -kjuːz/ SY-rə-kewss, -kewz; Italian: Siracusa [siraˈkuːza] ⓘ; Sicilian: Saragusa [saɾaˈuːsa]) is a city and municipality, capital of the free municipal consortium of the same name, located in the autonomous region of Sicily in Southern Italy. As of 2025, with a population of 115,636, it is the fourth most populous city in Sicily, following Palermo, Catania, and Messina.
Situated on the southeastern coast of the island, Syracuse boasts a millennia-long history: counted among the largest metropolises of the classical age, it rivaled Athens in power and splendor, and Athens unsuccessfully attempted to subjugate it. It was the birthplace of the mathematician Archimedes, who led its defense during the Roman siege in 212 BC. Syracuse became the capital of the Byzantine Empire under Constans II. For centuries, it served as the capital of Sicily, until the Muslim invasion of 878, which led to its decline in favor of Palermo. With the Christian reconquest, it became a Norman county within the Kingdom of Sicily.
During the Spanish era, it transformed into a fortress, with its historic center, Ortygia, adopting its current Baroque appearance following reconstruction after the devastating 1693 earthquake. During World War II, in 1943, the armistice that ended hostilities between the Kingdom of Italy and the Anglo-American allies was signed southwest of Syracuse, in the contrada of Santa Teresa Longarini, historically known as the Armistice of Cassibile.
Renowned for its vast historical, architectural, and scenic wealth, Syracuse was designated by UNESCO in 2005, together with the Necropolis of Pantalica, as a World Heritage Site.