Right at the other end of Corso Vittorio Emanuele (turn left on Via Manzoni and follow the road to the sea for about 4km), you will find the remains of the ancient Greek fortifications at Capo Soprano. Built by the tyrant of Syracuse, Timoleon, in 333 BC, they are in a remarkable state of preservation, most likely the result of being covered by sand dunes for thousands of years until they were discovered in 1948. The 8m-high walls were built in antiquity to prevent huge amounts of sand being blown into the city by the blustery sea wind. Today many of the walls are in ruins and the authorities have planted trees to act as a buffer against the encroaching sand. It makes for a pretty site planted with mimosa and eucalyptus trees, perfect for a picnic.
Today many of the walls are in ruins and the authorities have planted trees to act as a buffer against the encroaching sand. It makes for a pretty site planted with mimosa and eucalyptus trees, perfect for a picnic.
