The archaeological museum "Paolo Orsi" of Syracuse is one of the most important institutions in Italy concerning the archaeology of Greek colonies in Italy. The museum was founded at the end of the 19th century in the premises of the superintendence for cultural heritage in Piazza Duomo in Syracuse but, due to the vastness of the collections, it was later moved to a new location in the Neapolis district, nestled among the archaeological area containing the Greek theater, the Ear of Dionysius, and the Catacombs of San Giovanni. Today, the museum also houses the management of the archaeological park of Syracuse. Inside, there are over 27,000 artifacts ranging from the Paleolithic to the late Roman and early Christian periods. The collections mainly focus on Syracuse and its subcolonies (Eloro, Akrai, Kamarina, Kasmene), but there are also exhibits from other Sicilian locations such as Agrigento and Gela, and a large section is dedicated to Sicilian Bronze Age and the cultures of Castelluccio, Thapsos, and Pantalica. The Paolo Orsi Museum has 6 sectors, 5 of which are currently open to the public, in addition to the vault containing one of the most important numismatic collections in the world. Like many museums, a visit can take several hours, and it is certainly useful to rely on a private guide or group tour to discover the main peculiarities of the museum. Below, however, we want to list some of the must-see artifacts of the museum. They are all artifacts of great interest for their artistic level or their own peculiarities, listed not in order of importance - it would be difficult to rank them! - but in order of display within the various sectors of the museum.
The Prehistoric Doorways of Castelluccio
These two limestone doorways with relief-carved facades are located in Sector A of the Paolo Orsi Museum, dedicated to Sicilian prehistory and protohistory. Castelluccio is an archaeological site located in the countryside between the towns of Noto and Palazzolo Acreide, in the province of Syracuse. Here, since the end of the 19th century, a rich necropolis of "artificial grotto tombs" has been excavated, followed by part of a settlement of huts dating back to the ancient Bronze Age (ca. 2200-1450 B.C.). Among the most peculiar finds, from an intact tomb, are these two decorated doorways with images that appear to stylize the act of intercourse, symbolizing fertility or rebirth. Inside the tomb, in addition to burial objects, there were the bodies of 17 deceased, many in the fetal position.
The Kourotrophos
In Sector B of the museum, dedicated to Greek colonization and specifically among the artifacts from Megara Iblea, stands the headless statue of the nurse, the kourotrophos. This statue adorned a tomb but had an unfortunate fate. It was found during construction work in the industrial area, and a pneumatic hammer destroyed it into dozens of fragments that were then meticulously reassembled. It is a seated female figure holding twins in her lap. This archaic sculpture bears traces of the encounter between Greek and indigenous pre-existing culture.
The Bust of Artemis from Piazza della Vittoria
In Sector B dedicated to Classical Syracuse, in the area devoted to the excavations of the sanctuary of Piazza della Vittoria, stands this beautiful terracotta bust, probably depicting a goddess, perhaps Artemis, the goddess of hunting, particularly venerated in Syracuse. In the same sector, numerous terracotta statuettes, produced "by mold" and donated to the sanctuary of Demeter and Kore, are exhibited. This bust, for its size and artistic refinement, stands out among the many other artifacts. Unfortunately, it was found fragmented and required a long reassembly process. However, the traces of color, still clearly visible today, make this extraordinary artifact even more vivid.
The Bronze Little Horse from the Fusco Necropolis
This artifact is now also the symbol of the archaeological museum. It is a small bronze little horse, with sinuous and elegant forms, found in a tomb of the Fusco Necropolis. In the ancient world, infant mortality was very high, so there are numerous infant burials in which small toys were included as part of the burial goods. The little horse dates back to the 8th century B.C. (late geometric style) and thus to the very earliest phases of Syracuse's life. It is located in Sector B of the museum and stands out for its delicate craftsmanship as well as the rarity of the artifact. A "giant" copy of the little horse was placed several years ago in Piazza Marconi, a few steps from the historic center of Ortigia.
Greek Ceramics
In this case, it is really difficult to express a preference, but Sector B of the museum offers an extensive selection of Greek ceramics spanning all periods and styles, offering the visitor a complete look at the production from the classical age to the Hellenistic one: Corinthian and Attic ceramics and all the styles ranging from geometric to orientalizing to black-figure and red-figure techniques. Many mythological motifs adorn the extraordinary collection of ceramics.
The Gorgon
The Gorgons were monstrous beings from Greek mythology, and among them was Medusa, the monster with snake hair that petrified with just her gaze and who would be killed by the heroic Perseus. Among her arms, we notice Pegasus, the winged horse, generated by the Gorgon. Often the image of the Gorgon was used as decoration on the pediments of Greek temples, and Sicily was no exception, so much so that today the image of the Gorgon stands out on the Sicilian flag. Inside Sector B, in the area dedicated to the temples of Syracuse, it is possible to find various fragments of Gorgon, of which this polychrome terracotta is the most complete and fascinating for its well-preserved colors. The artifact was found in the excavations of Via Minerva, a few steps from Piazza Duomo and the cathedral, the ancient Athenaion of Syracuse.
Venus Landolina
This sculpture, perhaps the most beautiful one housed in the archaeological museum of Syracuse and which also impressed the writer Guy de Maupassant when he visited the city of Arethusa, is located in Sector D, dedicated to Hellenistic and Roman Syracuse, located on the 1st floor of the museum. It is called Venus Landolina after its discoverer, Saverio Landolina, who found it in the early 1800s in the area of the current civil hospital, or also Venus Anadyomene, as it was probably placed in a water basin to recall the classic motif of Venus rising from the waters. This work is a Roman copy from the 2nd century AD of a Greek original from the 2nd-1st century BC, inspired by the works of Praxiteles.
Sarcophagus of Adelfia
Sector F of the museum, located on the 1st floor, is dedicated to late antique and Christian Syracuse. Among the numerous exhibits on display stands the sarcophagus of Adelfia. It is a luxurious marble sarcophagus elegantly decorated in bas-relief. In the central medallion, there is the figure of the deceased Adelfia, and an inscription informs us that the sarcophagus was commissioned by Comes Valerio. The bas-relief scenes depict biblical motifs: from Adam and Eve to the sacrifice of Isaac to a nativity scene, considered by some to be the oldest representation of a nativity. The sarcophagus was found in the catacombs of San Giovanni in the rotunda of Adelfia by Saverio Cavallari in 1872. The sarcophagus dates back to the 4th century AD.
Silver Decadrachm of Euainetos
The numismatic collection, housed in the museum's basement, is simply unmissable. It is possible to admire coins and jewelry from the Greek era to the modern one, but special mention deserves the coins signed by Syracuse, among the most beautiful of antiquity and of great value today. Among the various masters who created these masterpieces, at the end of the 5th century BC, we mention Euainetos, Eukleidas, and Kimon. To the latter is attributed the beautiful coin that is the symbol of the coin cabinet: Arethusa with flowing hair and a sort of diadem with the artist's signature. On the reverse side, there is a quadriga flying over by a Nike.
Visiting the archaeological museum "Paolo Orsi" of Syracuse with a guide
Among the many itineraries proposed by the licensed guides of Hermes Sicily Tours there is also the archaeological museum. Private guided tours of the museum can be booked throughout the year for groups or individual visitors. Currently there are no English language group tours at the museum.
