Piazza del Duomo

Top choice in Syracuse


Syracuse's showpiece square is a masterpiece of baroque town planning. A long, rectangular piazza flanked by flamboyant palazzi, it sits on what was once Syracuse's ancient acropolis (fortified citadel). Little remains of the original Greek building but if you look along the side of the Duomo, you'll see a number of thick Doric columns incorporated into the cathedral's structure.

To the north of the Duomo, over Via Minerva, Palazzo Municipale (or Palazzo Senatoriale) is home to Syracuse city council. It was built in 1629 by the Spaniard Juan Vermexio, who was nicknamed 'Il Lucertolone' (the Lizard) – you can see the architect's signature (a small lizard) carved into a stone on the left corner of the cornice. On the other side of the Duomo, the elegant, 17th-century Palazzo Arcivescovile is home to the Biblioteca Alagoniana and some rare 13th-century manuscripts.

Over the square, in the northwestern corner, is the Palazzo Beneventano del Bosco, which sports a pretty 18th-century facade, while at its southern end is the Chiesa di Santa Lucia alla Badia.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Syracuse attractions

1. Palazzo Arcivescovile

0.02 MILES

The elegant, 17th-century Palazzo Arcivescovile is home to the Biblioteca Alagoniana and some rare 13th-century manuscripts.

2. Duomo

0.04 MILES

Built on the skeleton of a 5th-century BC Greek temple to Athena (note the Doric columns still visible inside and out), Syracuse's 7th-century cathedral…

3. Palazzo Beneventano del Bosco

0.04 MILES

In the northwestern corner of Piazza del Duomo is the Palazzo Beneventano del Bosco. While its origins are medieval, the baroque palace you see today is…

4. Palazzo Municipale

0.04 MILES

The Palazzo Municipale or Palazzo Senatoriale was built in 1629 by the Spanish architect Juan Vermexio, who was nicknamed 'Il Lucertolone' or 'the lizard'…

5. Artemision

0.05 MILES

Loitering beneath Palazzo Municipale are the scant remains of a 6th-century-BC Greek temple dedicated to the goddess Artemis, as well as the modest traces…

6. Chiesa di Santa Lucia alla Badia

0.05 MILES

The Chiesa di Santa Lucia alla Badia is dedicated to the city's patron saint, St Lucy, martyred in Syracuse during the reign of the Roman emperor…

7. Palazzo Lanza-Bucceri

0.12 MILES

Syracuse's 'drawing room', Piazza Archimede is flanked by Catalan-Gothic palazzi, including Palazzo Lanza-Bucceri.