TOURISM IN SYRACUSE, SICILY

The Archaeological Museum “Paolo Orsi” in Syracuse

The Archaeological Museum "Paolo Orsi" is one of the most important archaeological museums in Europe.
Since 1886, the treasures of ancient art discovered in eastern Sicily have flowed here.
The museum is so vast (12,000 square meters - over 129,171 sqft - on two floors, of which 9,000 meters - some 100,000 sqft - constitutes of exhibition space, with more than 18,000 archaeological finds on display) and so full of masterpieces, that for an unhurried visit it is necessary to dedicate at least a morning or afternoon.
 

The Regional Archeological Museum “Paolo Orsi” of Syracuse.
The museum is housed in a modern building, designed by Franco Minissi and opened in 1988, and consists of a series of interconnected hexagons that allow for continuous and flexible gallery space.
The museum is in the course of a radical renovation and reorganization (the transfer of the ancient coins collection, previously housed in the Piazza del Duomo, is still in process) and therefore obliged to close some sections, which vary over time.
The museum also offers an educational section aimed at children.

The permanent exhibition is housed on the entrance level and ranges from prehistory to the classical age. Other areas are dedicated to temporary exhibitions.

The permanent exhibition is organized into three sections (A, B, C), arranged around a central, hexagonal courtyard.

Section A is devoted to prehistory (including paleontological finds) and early history (from the Paleolithic to the Iron Age and the beginning of Greek colonization in Sicily).

Section  B is dedicated to the Greek colonization of Sicily and findings from Naxos, Milazzo, Messina, Catania, Lentini (including a splendid kouros in marble), Megara Ilbea and lastly Syracuse.
Channeled into the space dedicated to Syracuse are materials from the excavation of the necropolis, of the Greek temples, and of civic buildings: ceramics, bronzes, statues in marble and terra cotta, bùccheri, figurines... The wealth and beauty of the works of art is striking.
One area is devoted to the reconstruction of the temples of Syracuse, including those of Apollo and Athena, and to the recomposition of parts of their structures.
 

The nymph Arethusa on the famous coins known as “Syracusiana”, a masterpiece of ancient Greek minting.
 
Lastly, section C is devoted to the sub-colonies founded near Syracuse (Akrai, Kasmenai and Camarina), to the indigenous (Sicels) but Hellenized centers of eastern Sicily, and lastly to the two other major Greek colonies in the area, Gela and Agrigento.

This section is also full of all kinds of artifacts, such as terracotta vases, statues, polychrome pottery, weapons, pinakes (tablets) of terracotta, bronzes, bronze statuettes, sarcophagi, and even some very rare statues in wood.

In the museum’s beautiful garden, previously belonging to Villa Landolina, it is possible to see the ruins of the ancient Greek necropolis, the road system of the Hellenistic period, and pagan tombs and graves of some non-Catholic dead in Syracuse from the early 19th century, among which is the tomb of the famous German poet August von Platen (1796-1835).

Within easy reach of the Archaeological Museum are the Museo del papiro (Papyrus Museum), the Catacombs of San Giovanni, the Shrine of the Madonna delle Lacrime (Our Lady of Tears), and a little further away, the Archaeological Park of Syracuse.

How to Reach the Archeological Museum “Paolo Orsi” from the Algilà Ortigia Charme Hotel.
The Archeological Museum “Paolo Orsi” is located off the island of Ortigia, not far from the Archeological Park of Syracuse. A route by foot is possible, but it will exceed one kilometer / 0.6 miles in distance.

Those who do not have their own transportation can call a taxi from the reception desk at a special rate, or use the bicycles that the Hotel Algilà offers to its guests for free.
Alternatively, one can take the (free) shuttle bus #20 from the nearby Piazza Archimede up to the  bus station (near the train station) and then take either one of the following bus lines:  6, 8, 11, 12 or 13.
Otherwise, from Riva Nazario Sauro (behind the nearby Piazza delle Poste) one can choose from the following bus lines: 1, 2, 3, 4 or 12.

Visitor Information.
The Museum is located in Viale Teocrito 66 and is open Mondays from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., Tuesday-Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Sundays from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Tickets cost 4 euros, and reduced tickets cost 2 euros.
Because of the renovation work underway, aggravated by problems of staff shortages, some sections may be closed; therefore if one is interested in a specific section, it is always advisable to call or write in advance, Tel: (++39) 0931 464022 / 3 - Fax: (++39) 0931 462 347, email: museo.orsi@tin.it.
The opening of only parts of the museum does not result in discounts on the ticket prices.

The museum entrance is reached from the road using a path (up an incline) containing no architectural barriers. The various levels are also reachable by lift.

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