Today was supposed to be quite a short trip and spend some time in the”beach” called Sbarcatore Turks in Augusta on our way to Syracuse. Despite some of the stunning views, some places were full of trash and dumping grounds.
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Passing by Augusta Town
Augusta is a town and comune on the southeastern coast of the island, facing the Ionian Sea.
The town was founded in 582 BC by the Greek colonists from Gela, who named it Kallipolis (Beautiful City). In the following centuries, it changed hands between the Greeks, Carthaginians, Romans, Byzantines, Arabs, Normans and Aragonese. From the 16th century, it was under Spanish rule until the 18th century, when it became part of the House of Bourbon of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies.
In 1823, it became part of the newly created Kingdom of Italy. During World War II, Augusta was a major naval base and was heavily bombed by the Allies. After the war, it experienced a period of economic growth and was declared a commune in 1953.
Sbacatore Turks
There was some nice villas on our way to the Sbacatore Turks (Sbarcatore dei Turchi). Unfortunately currently this place seems permanently closed and not clear if tourists can actually enter.
The history of the Sbacatore Turks (Scala dei Turki) in Sicily dates back to the 16th century, when the Ottoman Empire began to expand its control into the Mediterranean region. The Sbacatore Turks were part of a wave of Muslim immigrants from the Ottoman Empire who arrived in Sicily from the 1520s onward. They were a military force sent to Sicily by the Ottoman sultan, Suleiman the Magnificent, to help the island’s rulers in their resistance against the Spanish and other European powers.
The Sbacatore Turks quickly established a strong presence in Sicily, setting up forts and military bases throughout the island. They were also responsible for introducing the Islamic faith and culture to the region, and many of the islanders converted to Islam. The Sbacatore Turks also helped to strengthen the island’s economy by introducing new agricultural and trading practices.
The Sbacatore Turks were eventually driven out of Sicily in 1623 by a coalition of Spanish, Genoese, and Neapolitan forces. However, their influence and presence in Sicily remained strong, and they continue to play an important role in the island’s culture, cuisine, and architecture. The Sbacatore Turks also left behind a legacy of buildings such as mosques, baths, and tombs, which can still be seen across the island today.
Local people, who were tanning near by, were jumping from that edge into the water. It did look a bit dangerous with all the stones around, but it was quite deep there I guess. However, I didn’t attempt the jump for the reasons mentioned before and also the waves were hitting those stones, so it seemed pretty dangerous for me.
There were only four people in Sbacatore Turks and that’s including me and my brother, so it was very quiet and peaceful. Not that many places you will find in Sicily!
After some sun through the clouds and swimming in the sea we went to Augusta town to grab some food. Many streets were one way in there, so I think we broke couple of laws unintentionally.
The town was quite dead. We were walking around looking for a place to eat, but since it was 3pm not many places were serving food. Then we found one place open, but it turned out they had no electricity so their kitchen was not very functional, but kind lady offered to make us something. It was good!
Syracuse City
Syracuse has a long and rich history that dates back to the 8th century BC. It was first founded by Greeks who colonized the area in 734 BC and established a powerful city-state. Syracuse was one of the most important cities in Magna Graecia, and was home to some of the greatest minds of the ancient world, including Archimedes and Plato. Over the centuries, Syracuse has been conquered by the Romans, Byzantines, Arabs, Normans, French and Spanish. During the late 19th century, it became a hub of culture and industry.
I must say that the stairs to our apartment in Syracuse were really exhausting, especially when we had to carry our suitcases to the 4th floor, where our apartment was. I saw they have a crane for lifting a cargo there, which I never seen inside of the building!
Syracuse was very busy with cars and getting around the centre was quite difficult. Some signs also very unclear if we can enter or traffic was prohibited, especially the ones with a lot of text. Some signs just forbids cars that are polluting too much, but how to know which category your car belongs to?
The Temple of Apollo
The Temple of Apollo at Syracuse was built in the 6th century BC and is one of the most important Greek monuments in the Mediterranean. It is believed to have been the site of the cult of Apollo and the oracle of Delphi.
The temple was destroyed during the Second Punic War and rebuilt in the 3rd century BC. It was later damaged in the eruption of Mount Etna in 1693. The temple was restored in the 19th century.
The temple consists of a large peristyle with columns, a pronaos and a cella. The cella contains two large statues of Apollo and two of Artemis, as well as a bronze statue of a lion. The temple is surrounded by a large courtyard with a large pool and colonnades.
The temple was built in the Doric order, with a double colonnade, and is one of the best-preserved examples of Greek architecture in Sicily. It is believed to have been the site of the famous oracle of Delphi, and the cult of Apollo was practiced there.
The temple is an important symbol of the city of Syracuse and is visited by thousands of tourists each year. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is an important part of the archaeological history of Sicily.
This beach below is something new! In 2011 we were just sitting on the stones and swimming in the sea. Now they built an artificial zone to tan and swim. I guess it is safer than climbing the stones, but I suspect that now you have to pay not only to enter, but also for sun-bed and umbrella.
Arancini And More
We stoped at Arancini And More for a quick snack and taste of arancini. This place had very good ratings on Trip Advisor. It is quite small place, but Arancini were amazing.
Wondering the Streets of Syracuse
As twilight fell over the historic island of Ortygia, the narrow stone alleyways of Syracuse transformed into an enchanting, golden-lit labyrinth. Furthermore, the warm glow of hanging lanterns and festive string lights cast soft shadows against centuries-old limestone facades. Along the paved pedestrian lanes, we watched local residents walking their dogs while restaurant staff shared casual conversations outside doorway entrances. Meanwhile, parked Vespas lined quiet corners beside leafy palm trees and rustic stone churches, perfectly capturing the relaxed rhythm of Sicilian evening life.
Further along the winding passageways, we came across lively outdoor dining scenes spilling out from cosy trattorias directly onto the cobbles. In addition, locals and travellers gathered at small bistro tables nestled under potted greenery, sipping spritzes and enjoying late dinner conversations as the day cooled down. We observed couples strolling hand-in-hand past weathered iron balconies, intricate stonework, and soft-lit shopfronts that hinted at the deep layers of history embedded in every wall. Wandering through these historic streets at dusk offered us a warm, intimate glimpse into the timeless heart of everyday Syracuse.
Arethusa Spring
The Fountain of Arethusa derives its evocative name from the Greek mythological nymph Arethusa, who was famously pursued across the sea by the river god Alpheus. Furthermore, according to ancient legend, the nymph managed to escape his unwanted advances by transforming herself into a freshwater spring that submerged underwater and resurfaced on the island of Ortygia. In addition, during classical antiquity, people attributed sacred healing properties to the spring and regularly utilised its pure waters for medicinal purposes. The site similarly inspired generations of classical poets and artists, earning prominent mentions throughout numerous celebrated Greek and Roman literary works. Also, once I saw local children gathering around the spring, bathing in its refreshing waters and learning to swim alongside the resident ducks and lush papyrus plants. During the Middle Ages, the famous spring continued to captivate travellers and scholars alike, featuring in various historical documents including the detailed travelogues of Arab geographers. The spring remains an enduring cultural symbol of Syracuse’s rich legendary heritage.
Finally, we sat in the balcony and enjoyed the view of Moon and two palms sipping white wine. Oh yeah I accidentally knocked my glass of wine and it spilled down just at the right moment when someone was passing. They literally thought that someone peed on them! I apologised and explained the situation. I was so lucky that at least it was white wine!
Tomorrow the plan was to explore Santuario Madonna delle Lacrime and Neapolis Archaeological Park in Syracuse.