6. SPANISH ITINERARY
 

From the end of the 13th cent. until the late 18th cent. the area was ruled in turn by the Aragonese, Catalans and Hapsburgs. In 1361 Siracusa became capital of the "Camera Reginale" (a small parliament where all the goods given in tribute to the Queen of Spain were administered), a privilege the city maintained for more than two centuries. Due to the impending Turkish threat, in the 16th cent. Charles V transformed the territory into a military stronghold, building castles and surrounding the city with walls. This led to the removal of more than twenty steps and the entire stage of the Greek Theater, two floors of the Roman Amphitheater and most of the Altar of Hiero.

SIRACUSA

The "Porta Marina" (Gateway to the Sea), the Surrounding Walls and Bastions around Ortigia; the palaces: Abela-Danieli, Interlandi, Montalto, Gargallo, Francicanava, Chiaramonte, Rizza, Lanza, dell'Orologio, Greco and the remains of the palace of the Regional Council; the portals of the Churches of San Pietro, San Martino, San Giovanni Battista, San Giovanni Apostolo, and the ceiling and floor of the Cathedral; the first floor of Palazzo Bellomo, the works of the painters Antonello da Messina and Michelangelo Merisi known as Caravaggio, and of the sculptor Gagini.

AUGUSTA

The City Gate, Surrounding Walls and the fortifications around the Castle.

BRUCOLI

The Castle.

PORTOPALO

The Castle ("Castello") built on a small island of the same name.