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Ear of Dionysius (Orecchio di Dionisio), Syracuse

4.3
#2 of 18 in Parks in Syracuse
Cave · Nature / Park
Venture into Ear of Dionysius (Orecchio di Dionisio), a limestone cave that's shaped like a human ear and known for its excellent acoustics. The cave is 23 m (75 ft) high and extends 65 m (213 ft) back into a cliff. It bends in an approximate "S" shape and tapers at the top like a teardrop. This shape gives the cave its acoustical quality; try whispering and see how far it resonates through the cave. The cave's name references the tyrant Dionysius I of Syracuse. According to legend, Dionysius used the cave as a prison for political dissidents and took advantage of the acoustics to eavesdrop on his captives. Using our international travel planner, Syracuse attractions like Ear of Dionysius (Orecchio di Dionisio) can form part of a personalized travel itinerary.
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Ear of Dionysius (Orecchio di Dionisio) reviews

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TripAdvisor traveler rating
TripAdvisor traveler rating 4.5
3,106 reviews
Google
4.5
TripAdvisor
  • By GregCashman282020
    This ear is massive, I'm not normally one for rocks and archaeology but this was impressive, part of the very good and well priced national archaeological park in Syracuse, a must see! Along with the....  more »
  • By katttp135
    The cave is so impressive photos don't do it justice. And it is definitely worth a visit to see and stand inside! The middle is so dark and echoey it makes for a truly unique experience. My criticism....  more »
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Google
  • By Osh at Large
    This place is phenomenal. It feels like a natural wonder and is located in the heart of Syracuse or Siracusa as the locals call it. This strange but fascinating place is well worth the visit. The park where it is located in has many other interesting historical sites to see. After all it is all a part of one of the 12 UNESCO sites in Sicily.
  • By Natalie Otto
    The Ear of Dionysius is cave-like structure. We were impressed by how tall it is and how good you can hear the echo of people talking. The whole cave is 65 m long and 23 m high. It's supposed to have been a prison ages ago and because you can here the echo very well it was great for spying.
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