Page 346 - The Rough Guide of Sicily

DUOMO, SIRACUSA

GOING UNDERGROUND

An entrance on the Piazza Duomo in the Palazzo Arcivescovile, next to the cathedral,
leads down into the Ipogeo di Piazza Duomo (Tues–Sat 10am–1pm; €4). This
series of underground tunnels and water cisterns, dating back centuries, was used by
the siracusani as an air-raid shelter during the heavy Allied bombing of 1943, and a

small exhibition tells you something of the inhabitants’ day-to-day experience. You
can follow one of the tunnels right the way under the piazza, to emerge by the
harbour on the Foro Italico, close to the Fonte Aretusa.

Santa Lucia alla Badia