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Information on Opening Hours and Ticket Prices Updated to: November 2024
Syracuse offers three different catacomb open to visitors, the Catacombs of San Giovanni, Vigna Cassia, and the Catacombs of Santa Lucia. The Church of San Giovanni, its attached catacombs, and the crypt of San Marciano are open year-round except for a short winter closure. For Santa Lucia and Vigna Cassia, it is recommended to verify availability for specific dates. On this page, we publish the latest update on opening hours as provided by the Inspectorate of the Catacombs.
Please note: the publication on this blog is for informational purposes only and is not official. Changes are possible without prior notice, and for updated information, please refer directly to the Catacombs Inspectorate or the Kairos coop. (Ph. +39 (0) 931 64694), which manages access to the sites mentioned above.
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Since 2019, after an agreement between the municipality of Syracuse and Civita, a private operator, the internal walk around the Aretusa spring has become accessible again (although the historic aquarium is currently closed), and it is possible to walk along the waters said to have brought good luck to Admiral Nelson. The legendary freshwater spring, located on the island of Ortigia and tied to the myth of Alpheus and the nymph Aretusa, is an almost obligatory stop for those visiting the city of Archimedes. Beyond the charm of the ancient Greek myth, its papyrus plants and breathtaking view of the great harbor make it a unique place.
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It has been announced that an entrance ticket will soon be introduced (probably starting from Monday, July 8, 2024) for some of the major monumental churches in Modica.
The churches that will see the introduction of the entrance ticket are:
- The Church of St. Peter: one of Modica's two mother churches, characterized by the statues of the apostles along the monumental access staircase. For the summer of 2024, it will be open from 10 am to 6 pm but, probably, in August also until the evening.
- The Church of St. Mary of Betlehem: containing a beautiful historical nativity scene and the so-called "Cabrera Chapel". Opening hours from 10 am to 6 pm.
- The Church Carmine church, distinguished by a characteristic rose window on the facade. Opening hours from 10 am to 6 pm
- The Church of St. John, located in the upper part of the city of Modica. Opening hours from 10 am to 6 pm
The expected cost of entrance tickets for each of these churches will be:
- €2.50 per person for each church. For groups of 10 to 30 people, €2 per person (children 11-14 years reduced €1). For groups with more than 30 people, flat rate of €50
- €6.00 per person. Cumulative ticket for the 4 churches. €4 per person, cumulative for groups of more than 30 people
- Free admission for residents, disabled persons and their companions, clergy, and tour guides.
Visiting Modica with a guide
Are you visiting southeastern Sicily and looking for a guide in Modica for your group/company/family? The professional guides at Hermes Sicily Tours offer various itineraries to discover the "city of a hundred churches", from the classic private tour of the historic center of Modica that covers the main monumental churches, UNESCO heritage, to experiential tours for small groups to discover the secrets of Modican chocolate. Contact us by email at
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Maniace Castle and Hypogeum of Piazza Duomo openings
[ Maniace Castle timetable | Hypogeum timetable | Apollo temple timetable | Book a tour guide ]
Below you can find the opening hours as communicated by the Superintendence for Cultural Heritage of Siracusa for the following monuments: the Castello Maniace, the fortress located on the tip of the Ortigia Island, the Ipogeo di Piazza Duomo, and the Temple of Apollo.
Please note that the publication on this blog is purely informative and is not official. Changes are possible without notice, and for updated information, it is necessary to refer directly to the regional department for cultural heritage or the Superintendence of Siracusa at the contact details indicated on the official website.
Castello Maniace - opening hours (for November 2024)
The Castello Maniace is the fortress commissioned by Frederick II of Swabia and dominates the extreme tip of Ortigia.
Opening times of Castello Maniace
November
Free entrace on Sunday 3rd November!
- Monday 8:30 AM - 1:30 PM (last entry at 12:45 PM)
- Tuesday to Saturday 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM (last entry at 3:45 PM)
- Sunday and holidays 8:30 AM - 1:30 PM (last entry at 12:45 PM)
The Castello Maniace is an imposing fortress located on the extreme tip of Ortigia Island. The original core dates back to the Middle Ages and was commissioned by Emperor Frederick II of Swabia in the 13th century. In subsequent eras, the castle was expanded and reinforced. The visit allows you to admire the evocative hypostyle hall and the splendid natural harbor of Siracusa. [guided tours]
Ipogeo (Hypogeum) di Piazza Duomo - opening hours:
November 2024
Currently, the openings are only on special dates. For long-term information, please contact the Superintendence for Cultural Heritage of Siracusa, the managing entity of the site.
Openings in July:
Ipogeo di Piazza Duomo: beneath the main square of Siracusa, there are a series of passages and underground chambers dating back to various epochs: remains of aqueducts, cisterns, and communication tunnels united in a single large complex and used as an air-raid shelter during World War II. The visit allows you to descend into the depths of Ortigia and take a journey through the history of the city, emerging directly overlooking the sea. [guided tours]
Temple of Apollo
At the moment, the Temple of Apollo remains closed and can only be admired from the panoramic view outside.
Temple of Apollo: located at the entrance of Ortigia Island, it is one of the most important archaeological testimonies of Siracusa due to its antiquity. The temple can always be admired from the promenade above, while the openings of the area below are limited to special events organized throughout the year. [guided tours]
Castello Maniace and Ipogeo di Piazza Duomo entrance tickets
The cost of the entrance ticket to Castello Maniace is € 9 (during the current temporary exhibition). For the Ipogeo di Piazza Duomo, the cost of the ticket is € 2.
Free entrance for children under 18 years old.
School groups are entitled to free admission but must submit a copy of the participant list issued by the school secretariat to the ticket office.
Guided Tours
Guided tours of Castello Maniace are available upon request from authorized tourist guides Hermes Sicily Tours. Private guides for groups, small parties, or individuals can be booked throughout the year in combination with the visit to Ortigia. More information is available on this page. You can also send an email to
Various group visits are proposed throughout the year, especially within the schedules of summer and Christmas group visits, as well as on certain Sundays of other months as part of the seasonal events calendar. You can check if there are scheduled dates on the two pages below:
Summer and Christmas group visits calendar | Seasonal events calendar
Guided tours of the Ipogeo di Piazza Duomo can be requested from Hermes guides as an additional option to the standard visit of Ortigia. The visit to the Ipogeo is only possible during the officially communicated opening periods by the Superintendence for Cultural Heritage of Siracusa. The view and explanations related to the Temple of Apollo are included in all our tours in Ortigia.
