syracuse cathedral (temple of athena)

AberdeenAbroad

Outside construction and its location on the main square very attractive. Look out as well for the markings of the Greek buildings that are laid out in the piazza and surrounding roads.

78heidis

The history and architecture were phenomenal! Loved the simplicity of the structure, and the feeling of being apart of the evangelical history of the region (I.e. St. Paul).

Contentment101

The heart of this beautiful old city. Just wander around. The duomo is a strange mixture of temple and church, all brought together by the magnificent facade.

KenOuten

The Syracuse Cathedral is a must see especially if you have been to Agrigento and seen the temple ruins as this temple was and is used for services but you can see the old Temple columns within and outside the building.

LindaDownunder

The Syracuse Cathedral is well worth a visit when on the island of Ortigia. It is a very interesting piece of architecture situated in a beautiful Piazza.

3Cuori1Capanna

I spent hours sitting across the The Temple of Athena admiring both what is left of the old temple and what is now the christian cathedral. It is an amazing location. The details of the original temple and of the cathedral are amazing to be admired. The cafes across the plaza with cold prosecco or amazing Sicilian wines make it even better. The comings and goings from the Temple are also very interesting, the weddings, locals going to church, Gypsies playing music. It is a truly magical place.

835danab

This cathedral was built on top of an ancient Greek temple dedicated to Athena (Minerva), whose columns can still be seen both inside and outside it. It has some wonderful chapels, the entrance fee is very low, and together with the beautiful piazza outside, is a sight in Siracusa (on the Ortygia island) very much worth seeing.

Elaineandree

It's a different kind of experience to see how this church mixes elements of a Greek temple with the current church

Steve_Grant1

Very good for the church but tried to go to mass and was told not allowed! Even at an advertised mass time

malka2013

Best to visit after having explored Greek temple remains in other parts of Sicily, so that you can appreciate the temple components of this cathedral.

somanyfoods

We were with a local guide providing us with the history of the church. Without the use of the guide the history of the facility would not have been obvious.

DogAgility

Loved the exterior and interior. I have never seen a temple turned into a cathedral before - and was intrigued by seeing the old temple columns as part of the walls - both inside and out.

edwardc666

just chop out the Naos walls to make arches and put the blocks into the spaces in between the columns of the peristyle. place altar at eastern end and you have a church. pleasantly serene.

Macman1940

Rather than the "let's tear it to the ground and use the rubble as a foundation", the Catholic Bishops of Syracuse either recognized the beauty of the temple and has unusual cultural sensitivity or they were simply lazy and decided to fill in the space between the columns to create the walls of the cathedral. Either way, the result is stunning. The power of the architecture of the original temple shows through the sheer massiveness of the columns. Bravo church people for getting it right for once by respecting the past.

julieaJ6739HJ

stunning cathedral, really overwhelming inside even for an atheist. Kept in a real pristine condition