Portland walking tour
For a great introduction to this beautiful city, try the Best of Portland walking tour.
Tag: history
Rocca di Cefalù
La Rocca, the stunning cliffs towering above the town of Cefalu, offer an incredible combination of history and scenic vistas. Spend a morning or an afternoon hiking to the summit. On your hike, you'll see an an ancient Greek temple, Byzantine walls, and the ruins of a Norman castle. And throughout you'll be rewarded with astounding views of Cefalu, the Tyrrhenian Sea, and the surrounding area.
Teatro Antico di Taormina
Originally built by the Greeks during the third century B.C., Taormina's Greco-Roman theater was dug into the rock of Mount Tauro. It was later expanded and rebuilt by the Romans. Today, the theater is a fascinating historical site, and it boasts incredible views of Mount Etna to the southwest and the Ioania sea to the east.
Castello Maniace
The fortress at the southern tip of Ortigia offers beautiful views of the surroundings ocean as well as interesting historical exhibits.
Parco Archeologico Neapolis
Remarkable historical site containing an ancient quarry, as well as a Greek theater and a Roman amphitheater. We highly recommend hiring a guide, as someone who can tell you in detail about the sites adds a lot to the experience.
Temple of Apollo, Syracuse
In the heart of Siracusa's charming Oritigia neighborhood lies the ruins of a Greek temple to the god Apollo, dating from the sixth century B.C. Some of the foundation and stairs, as well as much of one wall and a few columns, still stand.
Cathedral of Syracuse
Syracuse's cathedral is remarkable more for its history than its decor. The cathedral was built on the site of a Greek temple whose columns are still visible as elements of the structure's wall. It's worth a visit to see that alone.
Catacombe di San Giovanni
The Catacombs of San Giovanni are a Christian burial site, likely used from the third through sixth centuries. The catacombs are interesting to explore, and they offer excellent examples of several different types of burial. However, we found the tour somewhat overwhelming.
Museo Archeologico di Aidone
A relatively small museum in the town of Aidone near Morgantina, Museo Archeologico di Aidone houses a collection of artifacts unearthed in the surrounding areas. The highlights include the rare and remarkably complete Hades head and several well-preserved Greek statues, some of which were recovered from American museums after questionably legal sales.
Sito Archeologico di Morgantina
The ruins of an ancient Greek city on a picturesque ridge in central Sicily, Morgantina is an active archaeological site. That means it's well-preserved, but visitors unfortunately can't walk through the main town area with the agora, theater, market, and some of the larger houses. However, you can see the ruins from a hill that gives you a very good overview of this ancient town, and it's possible to walk through some of the outlying homes.