Ear of Dionysius

Syracuse, Italy

The legendary Ear of Dionysius is the most famous cave in Syracuse. It’s called this way for its ear shape and above all for its remarkable acoustic properties which amplify the sounds inside it. Its name was given by the painter Michelangelo da Caravaggio. According to the legend, the tyrant Dionysus used it as a jail and he used to eavesdrop on the prisoners’ conversations.

This cave was dug in Greek/Roman times as a water storage for Syracuse. A narrow tunnel was dug first. This tunnel was widened by digging down and sideways afterwards, giving the cave its unusual shape. The small narrow tunnel is still visible on the top of this artificial cave. An earthquake struck this area causing damage, and the cave became unusable for water storage afterwards.

References:

Visit Sicily

Address

Viale Giulio Emanuele Rizzo 26, Syracuse, Italy

See all sites in Syracuse

Details

Founded: 5th century BC
Category: Prehistoric and archaeological sites in Italy

More Information

www.visitsicily.info
en.wikipedia.org

Rating

4.5/5 (based on Google user reviews)

Palazzo degli Elefanti (50,3 km)
Terme Achilliane (50,2 km)
Catania Cathedral (50,2 km)
University of Catania (50,4 km)
Noto Cathedral (27,4 km)
Palazzo Ducezio (27,5 km)
San Carlo al Corso Church (27,6 km)
Basilica della Collegiata (50,4 km)
Montevergine Church (27,4 km)

User Reviews

Tímea (9 months ago)
Nice experience, surprising but 16.5 € is a little more expensive than I thought it would be. Don't miss the ear of Dionysius - but read the story!

Tony Amaro (9 months ago)
Fantastic historic place. Some may be annoyed with modern sculptures throughout the park

Liam Jay Neustadter (9 months ago)
Nice place overall. A bit boring if you're not a modern art lover, but it's a really spacious cave and it's cool to explore!

Arash Boostani (12 months ago)
The Ear of Dionysius is a remarkable archaeological marvel in Syracuse, known for its unique ear-like shape and extraordinary acoustics. This limestone cave, carved out of the Temenites hill, is steeped in history and legend, offering visitors a glimpse into the past. A must-visit for those interested in the intriguing blend of natural beauty and historical mythology.

Rosalie DeGaetano (12 months ago)
Neapolis is an open air museum. It is very well kept. If you are into history you must visit! It took us around 2 hours to complete the full tour. We paid 16.50 euro each.

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Finest Norman castles in Italy

Exploring the History of Northern Poland

Discovering Slovenia's Historic Wonders

Photo from Flickr, copyright Following Hadrian

Historic Site of the week

Walls of Constantinople

The Walls of Constantinople are a series of defensive stone walls that have surrounded and protected the city of Constantinople (today Istanbul) since its founding as the new capital of the Roman Empire by Constantine the Great. With numerous additions and modifications during their history, they were the last great fortification system of antiquity, and one of the most complex and elaborate systems ever built. They were also the largest and strongest fortification in both the ancient and medieval world.

Initially built by Constantine the Great, the walls surrounded the new city on all sides, protecting it against attack from both sea and land. As the city grew, the famous double line of the Theodosian Walls was built in the 5th century. Although the other sections of the walls were less elaborate, they were, when well-manned, almost impregnable for any medieval besieger.