In the summer of 1886 an explosion of dynamite tore open the ancient walls of Ortigia and announced the renaissance of Syracuse.
The ancient stones found new life in new neighbourhoods, the first hotels are born, and wide and orderly streets are created for the Syracusans to expand Ortigia.
Here you will find yourself on what used to be the edge of ancient and medieval Ortigia, right where the wall stood which surrounded the island.
Sleep in what used to be the luxurious Cavour Palace Hotel, built in the late 1800s on the ancient walls. The hotel was requisitioned during the Second World War, first by the Germans for their headquarters, then by the Allies during their landing.