Ear of Dionysius in Syracuse
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When it comes toEar of Dionysius we never refer to a simple natural cave located in the territory of SIRACUSA, but it means a real monument as well as an important piece of history, around which myths and legends hover that have shaped the entire local folklore and traditions.
The Ear of Dionysius is one limestone cave of important dimensions, so as to measure about 23 meters in height and a width that varies from 5 to 11 meters, developing with a depth that reaches 70 meters, assuming a curvilinear conformation that reminds us of the hearing system, to the point of amplify up to 16 times the acoustics of any sound reproduced within it.
History of the Ear of Dionysius in Syracuse
The formation of the Ear of Dionysius has a still uncertain dating, just as its possible functions are still doubtful.
Historians disagree on two lines of thought, the first of which sees the Ear of Dionysius as a quarry perhaps used for the extraction of some minerals or used to house some craftsmanship, as happened in the nearby Cave of the Cordari, whose lack of humidity allowed better conditions for the processing of certain materials. The second hypothesis that revolves around the Ear of Dionysius is linked precisely to its acoustics, which could perhaps be useful on certain occasions when it was necessary to have a place that allowed to amplify its sounds, almost as if it were a natural theater.
The Legend of the Ear of Dionysius in Syracuse
Una legend he says that the painter coined the name of this cave Caravaggio, , who visited it during 1608. Of Dionisio's Ear there are numerous stories that see it as the protagonist, most of which see this scenario as the narrow place where the same Dionisio, tyrant of Syracuse, locked up his prisoners, and then spent hours listening, pleased, to their heartbreaking screams coming from inside, which thanks to the acoustics of the place resound even more powerful and could be heard even at considerable distances.
Archaeological Park of Neapolis in Syracuse
The Ear of Dionysius is located inside the Archaeological Park of Neapolis, more precisely behind the Greek Theater of Syracuse. This is an area of about 240000 m2, rich in monuments and historical testimonies on the past of the ancient city of Syracuse, being able to admire the influences of both the Greeks and the Romans, as well as being able to identify how they managed to leave indelible traces this territory. In the Archaeological Park of Neapolis there are also the suggestive Grotticelle necropolis, of the burial hypogea, among which the one known to be the Tomb of Archimedes.
How to get to the Ear of Dionysius in Syracuse
The Ear of Dionysius, as present within the Archaeological Park of Neapolis, can be easily reached by car since it is located in the immediate vicinity of the city center of Syracuse, widely served by numerous connections, both internal and regional, among which are the bus numbers of the Sicilian bus lines. You can also get to the historic center of Syracuse with the trains which serve its railway station, while those forced to travel by plane can land at Catania Fontanarossa Airport, about 60 km away.
