ITS25 CC – Visit of the archaeological site of Neapolis

In the province of Syracuse, we had a chance to see an UNESCO world heritage site. The latomies were limestone quarries used to extract the building material that was essential for the construction of various monumental buildings and other cities in ancient Sicily. The word "latomia" refers to the act of quarrying, but the term later came to refer to places where prisoners were kept in horrible conditions. The place is famously associated with the incarceration of prisoners, particularly during the time of Dionysius I, the tyrant of Syracuse (5th century BCE). During his reign, political prisoners, enemies of the state, or those who displeased the tyrant were often imprisoned.

The "Ear of Dionysius": As a part of the surveillance system, Dionysius I is said to have used the nearby Ear of Dionysius (a large limestone cave) to eavesdrop on the prisoners. This was part of his brutal method of maintaining control over the people he imprisoned. We came into the 23m high cave carved by a man to limestone. It is called Ear of Dionysius. We could hear how the echo works in such a place. 

The Garden of Paradise is known for its natural beauty, with lush vegetation growing amid the stone quarries.

Then, we visited Archaeological Park Neapolis and the largest Greek theatre, we saw the tombs carved into the limestone. The Italian students explained the importance of the theatre and different goal for using it for the Greeks and the Romans. 
It was built in 5th century BC, rebuilt in 3rd century BC  and renovated in Roman period.  
Then students had to work on an activity “Mission save a monumemnt of Syracuse”. A natural disaster or a major historical event, they have to travel through different eras, solving complex challenges and coming up with creative solutions to preserve or rebuild these monuments while discovering the historical and cultural facts surrounding them. They worked in group and porposed in oral their results.

Students discover the most important monumental testimonies of a greek and roman city: theater, amphitheater, latomie, caves. They concretize their classical letters lessons by discovering monuments and how they were built and used: slaves, latomie, gladiators fights, chariot racings, animal hunts, greek tragedy and comedy... They improve English comprehension and expression by listening explanations, by explaining the elements constituing the monumental testimonies of Neapolis archaeocological park.