Peapix

  • Bing Gallery
  • Extension
Peapix
Bing Gallery
Extension
  • India
    All
    Australia Canada China Germany France India Japan Spain United Kingdom United States Italy Brazil

Bing Gallery

Australia Canada China Germany France India Japan Spain United Kingdom United States Italy Brazil
  1. Bing Gallery
  2. India
  3. 2021
  4. July 09
  5. Ortygia, a small island off the coast of Syracuse, Sicily, Italy
arrow_back_ios arrow_forward_ios Ortygia, a small island off the coast of Syracuse, Sicily, Italy

July 09, 2021

Ortygia, a small island off the coast of Syracuse, Sicily, Italy

© DaLiu/Shutterstoc

A center of antiquity on the Mediterranean

This bird's-eye view lets us take in the charms of Ortygia, a small island just offshore from Syracuse, on Sicily’s east coast. Ortygia is considered Syracuse's ‘old town’ and the historical heart of the city. A narrow channel separates the island from Syracuse and two bridges connect Ortygia to mainland Sicily. Ancient Greeks first colonised this island in the 8th century BCE, and the town is brimming with 2,700 years of history. Walk Ortygia’s web of narrow streets and you’ll see Greek and Roman ruins, medieval Norman buildings, and examples of Baroque architecture as well.

A Homeric text Hymn tells of the claim of the goddess Leto, who stopped at Ortygia to give birth to her twins – Artemis and Apollo. Visitors today can pay homage to the mythology with a visit to the Temple of Apollo, which dates from the 6th century BCE, making it the oldest Doric temple in Sicily. But for some, the most magnificent attraction to Ortygia is the cerulean Mediterranean Sea, which surrounds the island in a shimmery blue.

water lake aerial map

Related Images

Great Blue Hole, BelizeGreat Blue Hole, Belize
Aerial view of the Grand Canal and the Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute, Venice, ItalyAerial view of the Grand Canal and the Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute, Venice, Italy
Dam, lake and mountains in KeralaDam, lake and mountains in Kerala
Aerial view of a roundabout in Dhaka, BangladeshAerial view of a roundabout in Dhaka, Bangladesh
Fujian Tulou complex of historical and cultural heritage buildings in Fujian province, ChinaFujian Tulou complex of historical and cultural heritage buildings in Fujian province, China
Lesser flamingos flying over Lake Magadi, KenyaLesser flamingos flying over Lake Magadi, Kenya
Aerial view of colourful houses on a headland in Puerto de la Cruz, Tenerife, SpainAerial view of colourful houses on a headland in Puerto de la Cruz, Tenerife, Spain
Channel Country, Outback Queensland, AustraliaChannel Country, Outback Queensland, Australia

Today on Bing

Talampaya National Park, La Rioja province, Argentina

Talampaya National Park, La Rioja province, Argentina

Jul 09, 2024
Moselle River loop near Kröv, Germany

Moselle River loop near Kröv, Germany

Jul 09, 2023
Dolomite Mountains at night with the Milky Way, Italy

Dolomite Mountains at night with the Milky Way, Italy

Jul 09, 2022
American Basin in San Juan Mountains, USA

American Basin in San Juan Mountains, USA

Jul 09, 2020
Jaguar in the Pantanal wetlands, Brazil

Jaguar in the Pantanal wetlands, Brazil

Jul 09, 2019

Related Tags

aerial water map lake beach nature continental shelf painting green aerial photography bird's-eye view landscape several outdoor plant aqua turquoise blue ship text
Share photo
Share
Pin
Tweet
Line
  • © 2025 Peapix.com
  • API
  • App
  • Privacy
The images are provided for wallpaper use only.