The sites and monuments of Syracuse/Pantalica form a “whole” that constitutes a unique collection and extraordinary testimony of Mediterranean cultures throughout the centuries and in the same space. The Syracuse/Pantalica group also offers, through its cultural diversity, an exceptional testimony to the development of civilisation over 3 millennia.
The extraordinary cultural traditions that developed in these places profoundly influenced the subsequent civilisations in the area, radiating throughout the Mediterranean, and represent a model on which the entire civilisation of the Western world has been based and evolved to the present day.
The group of monuments and archaeological sites situated in Syracuse (between the nucleus of Ortygia and the vestiges located throughout the urban area) is the finest example of architectural creation encompassing several cultural influences (Greek, Roman, medieval and Baroque).
The stratification in the territory of all the cultures in the Mediterranean since prehistoric times represents a significant example of the integration of cultures, styles and building techniques from different eras which, also by virtue of their exceptional degree of preservation, represent an extraordinary documentary basis for the analysis and historical and scientific discovery of the systems and building techniques from different eras and civilisations. Ancient Syracuse was directly linked to events, ideas and literary works of universal importance.
The poems, plays and literary works that were composed and performed in Syracuse were great in number and of outstanding and universal value and still form part of the cultural heritage shared by all Western civilisation today.
The cultural, architectural and artistic stratification evident in the Syracuse/Pantalica ensemble bears exceptional testimony to the history and cultural diversity of the Syracuse region over three millennia from the ancient Greek period to the Baroque.
Criteria for inscription in the WHL
Criterion (II): The ensemble of sites and monuments in Syracuse/Pantalica constitutes a remarkable testimony of the Mediterranean cultures over the centuries.
Criterion (III): The Syracuse/Pantalica ensemble offers, through its remarkable cultural diversity, an exceptional testimony to the development of civilisations over three millennia.
Criterion (IV): The group of monuments and archaeological sites situated in Syracuse (between the nucleus of Ortygia and the vestiges located throughout the urban area) is the finest example of outstanding architectural creation encompassing several cultural influences (Greek, Roman and Baroque).
Criterion (VI): Ancient Syracuse was directly linked to events, ideas and literary works of outstanding universal significance.
