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altrodove
tour operator
Tales of Sicily
Syracuse
and province
Food and Wine
The food and wine of the province of Syracuse is a thousand-year-old mosaic that reflects the grandeur of its history, from its Greek roots to Arab and Baroque influences.
Defined as the cradle of the first cooking school in the West, this land offers a perfect balance between the savoury flavours of the Ionian Sea and the robust products of the Hyblaean hinterland.
The journey through the flavors of Syracuse is an itinerary of the excellences of southeastern Sicily based on iconic products such as the Syracuse PGI Lemon, the Avola Almond and dairy products such as those from the Hyblaean Mountains, including historic cheeses like pecorino and provola.
There is no shortage of closed focaccias (scacce) and dishes linked to holidays such as the Cuccìa di Santa Lucia, whose origins linked to the famine of 1646 are explained by Pasticceria Artale.
Don't miss the gastronomic experiences in historic markets, like the one in Ortigia, which offer an authentic immersion in local culture.
The province boasts an ancient winemaking tradition dating back to Greek and Roman times. Among the historic grape varieties are Moscato di Siracusa and Nero d'Avola, which draw their character from the calcareous soils of the Val di Noto. Today, the Siracusa DOC protects several styles, including premium whites, reds, and passito wines.
Nature
The natural landscape of the province of Syracuse is an exceptional compendium of Mediterranean biodiversity, characterized by a breathtaking alternation of rugged limestone canyons, coastal wetlands, and pristine marine areas.
This territory, located at the southeastern tip of Sicily, serves as a natural bridge between Europe and Africa, home to unique ecosystems ranging from river banks populated by wild papyrus to cliffs overlooking the Ionian Sea.
The natural heritage is protected by a dense network of nature reserves such as the Vendicari Wildlife Oasis, the Cavagrande del Cassibile Reserve, and the Plemmirio Marine Protected Area.
Worthy of note are Pantalica and the Anapo Valley: A perfect combination of nature and archaeology, where the Anapo River flows through limestone gorges surrounded by a UNESCO World Heritage rock necropolis, and the Ciane River and Saline Reserve: the only place in Europe where papyrus grows spontaneously along the banks of a river, offering a landscape with an exotic feel.
Popular Culture
The popular culture of the province of Syracuse is a vibrant blend of religious devotion, classical legends, and artisanal mastery, where the sacred blends inextricably with the profane.
This land, guardian of ancient traditions, keeps alive rites dating back to the Greek and Byzantine eras, transforming them into collective events that involve entire villages.
Popular festivals are the beating heart of local identity, characterised by overwhelming emotional participation such as that of Santa Lucia in Syracuse and the Holy Week Rites.
Syracuse is a center of excellence for the Opera dei Pupi, a puppet theater declared a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. In addition to the puppets, local crafts are distinguished by: the workmanship of papyrus and the white stone of Noto.
Syracusan folklore is rich in myths that explain the origin of the places:
The Myth of Alpheus and Arethusa: The legend of the nymph transformed into a fountain and of the lover who crossed the sea to be reunited with her is the very symbol of Ortigia.
The peasant traditions of the Iblei: Work songs (vjattichi) and proverbs linked to the land and the sea that tell of an archaic and resilient Sicily.
Solidarity trips
Solidarity trips in the province of Syracuse represent an ethical and conscious way to discover the area, going beyond mass tourism to support projects of social redemption, environmental protection, and enhancement of the suburbs.
This form of travel allows for direct contact with local communities, transforming the holiday into a tool to support the circular economy and inclusion.
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