The Nymphaeum in Syracuse, Sicily, also known as the Grotto of the Nymph, is an artificial cave carved into the limestone cliffs above the ancient Greek Amphitheater, built to honor the muses. An aqueduct carried water into the grotto from miles away and both the cave and niches in the cliff were once embellished with statues of religious images.
Although I first visited Italy in ’61 and it became a favorite place for my parents to vacation,
this is the first I have read about this magical spot. I actually accidentally stumbled on a site
which explained the history of the theater while I was reading about the 13th specialization
course in international criminal law in the era of globalization which took place in May, 2013.
Sorry that I missed both, the course and the magical island. Maybe during my next incarnation.
Hi Claudia: I certainly hope you don’t have to wait for your next reincarnation! Seriously, it is an intriguing site, just one among thousands in Italy.
What an interesting place. It seems really mysterious, hard to believe it is artificial.
Hi Rhonda: The rocks are natural. In fact, behind them the entire area was an old limestone quarry. However the crypts were artificially carved in the limestone, and the waterfall is man-made. Such an interesting place!