Photos: Quintin Soloviev, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0 Berthold Werner, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 Berthold Werner, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo credits
Photos: Quintin Soloviev, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0 Berthold Werner, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 Berthold Werner, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
The Greek columns inside the cathedral wall
Your local guide
Carmela Iurato
View profile
Highlights
- Greek temple columns inside a cathedral wall
- Doric stone beside baroque additions
- One building, two thousand years apart
- Ortigia's most layered piece of architecture
- A temple that never stopped being used
About this tour
This session looks at Syracuse Cathedral, built directly around the columns of an ancient Greek temple to Athena. You see the Doric columns embedded in the side wall and the later baroque facade added centuries afterwards. The camera stays on the public square throughout.
I start at the side wall where the Greek columns are clearest, then move to the front to show the contrast with the baroque facade. I take questions throughout and send a short timeline of the building's changes afterwards.
It suits anyone interested in how one building can carry both ancient and later history. It also works well as a first stop before exploring the rest of Ortigia.
Included
- Live video walk with a local guide
- Questions to your guide all the way
- A short list of places to visit later
Not included
- Internet connection
- Travel to the city
Itinerary
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Welcome and sound check 5 min
The guide joins the video call, checks the picture and sound with you, and gives you a quick sense of Syracuse before heading out.
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The side wall 21 min
The camera holds on the cathedral's side wall, where thick Doric columns from the original Greek temple are still visible, built directly into the later structure.
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The baroque facade 21 min
Turning to the front, you see the far later baroque facade, added after an earthquake, and I explain how the two styles ended up on the same building.
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Your questions 9 min
Time to ask anything about Syracuse: prices, safety, food, or whatever you are curious about.
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A short list to keep 4 min
Before you go, the guide sums up with a few things worth remembering: a dish to try: Cous cous di pesce and Ortigia, worth a slower look.
Good to know
- A stable wifi or mobile connection makes the picture smoother than a shaky one.
- Any phone, tablet or laptop with a camera works. You watch, the guide does the walking.
- Times are shown in Rome time, so check the time where you are before you book.
- The session is not recorded, and recording it yourself is not allowed. Feel free to take your own notes.
- Ask questions any time, out loud or in the chat. The guide will pause to answer.
- Sessions run in small groups, up to 9 people, so there is room for everyone to ask something.
Questions about this tour
What will the session cover?
The guide walks through Syracuse, showing you The side wall and The baroque facade live on camera, plus whatever else you would like to see.
What happens if my connection drops?
Rejoin with the same link within a few minutes and the guide will catch you up on anything you missed.
Can I ask the guide questions during the session, or is it a fixed script?
Anything, any time. Sessions leave room for your own questions throughout, not just at the end.
Do I need to know the history already?
No background needed. The guide explains everything as it comes up.
How it works
- You get one join link after booking.
- Join from any device: phone, tablet or laptop.
- We meet on Google Meet; the link comes with your booking. I walk Syracuse live with my phone.
Times shown in Rome time (CET)
Cancellation
Flexible
- Cancel up to 24 hours before the start: full refund.
- Cancel less than 24 hours before the start, or no-show: no refund.
- If the guide cancels or the date does not reach its minimum group: full refund.
- Cancel in My Account → Bookings; the refund is calculated from the start time in the tour's local time.
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Next: Mon 26 Oct · 9 seats left From 27,00 €
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