Island of Ortygia, Syracuse, Sicily, Italy

© DaLiu/Shutterstoc

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

This is a bird's-eye view of Ortygia, a small island just offshore of Syracuse, on Sicily’s east coast in Italy. Ortygia is considered Syracuse's ‘old town’ and the historical centre 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 packed with 2,700 years of history. Walk Ortygia’s narrow streets and you’ll see Greek and Roman ruins, medieval Norman buildings and examples of Baroque architecture.