Seaside town and ancient origins, Syracuse is the point from which to explore the homonymous province. The city is rich in history of peoples who dominated it in the past, since the founding in the eighth century BC by Greeks from Corinth. Starting from the historic center of the city in fact there are the imposing ruins of the Temple of Apollo and Artemis. It is the oldest Doric temple in Sicily. Continuing along the main street you can admire the Greek walls built by Dionysius the Elder, who arrive to Porta Marina; while, from the Garden of the Foro Italico you can get to the Fountain of Arethusa, the ancient source of fresh water coming from a cave. As for the Cathedral, built in the Byzantine period but badly damaged by the earthquake of 1693, it is an outstanding example of layering of different styles. Among the civil architecture you can admire Archbishop’s Palace, Palazzo Beneventano del Bosco, Palace of the Senate; near the early Christian basilica of St. Martin there is Palazzo Bellomo dating back to 1200, now houses the Regional Gallery, rich in Renaissance sculptures of the artists Gagini and Mazzola. Castle Maniace dominates the extreme tip of the island. The district includes the monumental Neapolis archaeological park with the Greek Theatre, the most famous of the ancient world and today the picturesque scenery of theatrical events. In the rest of the Province we recommend a visit of Pantalica, nestled between history and nature thanks to the Natural Reserve of the Anapo Valley; situated on a promontory in the valley Asinaro is instead Noto, cradle of Sicilian Baroque and World Heritage Site, where you can visit the Cathedral, the three nineteenth-century buildings and the monumental complex the Holy Savior that includes the monastery, the church and the seminary. Finally, it is interesting visit to Palazzolo Acreide, another cradle of Sicilian Baroque of Val di Noto.