UNESCO Sites- The facts, a few tips and a whole lot of opinion.

Two Bacons and a Boston are on a mission to visit as many UNESCO sites as possible. We will provide information on getting there, costs, what there is to see and that really important question...is it worth it?

Chrissie & Danny Bacon

5/8/20252 min read

Exploring Syracuse & the Rocky Necropolis of Pantalica.

The facts; Southeastern Sicily offers a profound journey through time with the UNESCO World Heritage Site encompassing Syracuse and the Rocky Necropolis of Pantalica. Syracuse, once a dominant city-state in the ancient Greek world, presents a rich tale of history through its Neapolis Archaeological Park, historic Ortigia Island, and a combination of ancient and baroque architecture.

Approximately 40 kilometers inland, the Rocky Necropolis of Pantalica provides insight into prehistoric times. This site features over 5,000 tombs carved into limestone cliffs, accessed via a short hike through the hills, dating from the 13th to 7th centuries BCE. The area also contains remnants of Byzantine-era dwellings and chapels, highlighting the region's long-standing human activity.

Together, these sites illustrate the diverse cultures that have shaped Sicily over millennia, offering valuable perspectives for those interested in archaeology and history.

The tips; Allow a few day to properly explore the region. Ortigia requires a day to experience the architecture, the archeological park in Syracuse is a couple of hours to visit and the Necropolis of Pantalica is a drive inland then a few hours to complete all the walks.

The opinion:
Ortigia is a stunning breathe of fresh air on the coast with many alleys and lanes to discover. Stop and appreciate the views over the azure water before enjoying the delicious local food at any of the brilliant cafes and restaurants.
The Necropolis of Pantalica is accessed via a stunning drive through the Sicilian countryside. The walk can be as long or short as you need with the first tombs appearing approximately 1 kilometer from the main entry. Sadly a number of the tombs were filled with rubbish. The Necropolis is not pet friendly and pets are turned back at the entry.
The Syracuse Neapolis Archeological Park is spread out and, disappointingly, offers very little of interest. The access has been well planned out but the site itself is boring and has been either grown over, covered over or not maintained and a number of large artworks have been placed around the site detracting from its history. We did not feel it was worth the entry fee.

The cost; The only associated cost is the Neapolis Archeological Park.