Ear of Dionysius

Syracuse, Italy

The legendary Ear of Dionysius is the most famous cave in Syracuse. It’s called this way for its ear shape and above all for its remarkable acoustic properties which amplify the sounds inside it. Its name was given by the painter Michelangelo da Caravaggio. According to the legend, the tyrant Dionysus used it as a jail and he used to eavesdrop on the prisoners’ conversations.

This cave was dug in Greek/Roman times as a water storage for Syracuse. A narrow tunnel was dug first. This tunnel was widened by digging down and sideways afterwards, giving the cave its unusual shape. The small narrow tunnel is still visible on the top of this artificial cave. An earthquake struck this area causing damage, and the cave became unusable for water storage afterwards.

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Address

Viale Giulio Emanuele Rizzo 26, Syracuse, Italy
See all sites in Syracuse

Details

Founded: 5th century BC
Category: Prehistoric and archaeological sites in Italy

More Information

www.visitsicily.info
en.wikipedia.org

Rating

4.5/5 (based on Google user reviews)

Interesting Sites Nearby


Cathedral of Syracuse (2,5 km)
Bellomo Palace Regional Gallery (2,7 km)
Greek Theatre of Syracuse (0,1 km)
Palazzo Montalto (2,3 km)
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Altar of Hieron (0,2 km)
Castello Maniace (3,1 km)
Roman Amphitheatre of Syracuse (0,4 km)
Museo Archeologico Regionale Paolo Orsi (1 km)


Palazzo degli Elefanti (50,3 km)
Terme Achilliane (50,2 km)
Catania Cathedral (50,2 km)
University of Catania (50,4 km)
Noto Cathedral (27,4 km)
Palazzo Ducezio (27,5 km)
San Carlo al Corso Church (27,6 km)
Basilica della Collegiata (50,4 km)
Montevergine Church (27,4 km)

User Reviews

Petr Procházka (8 months ago)
Ear of Dionysius is a nice place, but people are really loud there as they’re trying the echo. So it would be better to avoid the guided yours or school excursions.
Ksenia Tsocheva (8 months ago)
The best thing in the Saracusa Archeological park. It’s interesting but particularly small cave which is very high. Unfortunately, I don't think it deserves 15 euro for entrance.
Angelina (10 months ago)
Beautiful caves made by prisoners looking for good stones for construction at the time of the roman empire
Julien (10 months ago)
The place is magnificent and the entrance is 13€ for 1 adult, 6.5€ from 18 to 25 years old and free for minors.
Beth Belcher (11 months ago)
Our tour guide is a former oper singer and he gifted us with a song inside. Wonderful
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