Ipogeo, Underground tunnel network beneath Piazza Duomo in Syracuse, Italy.
The Ipogeo is an underground tunnel network of interconnected passages and ancient quarries beneath Piazza Duomo in Syracuse. The main entrance is located near the Archbishop's Palace gardens and provides access to this extensive subterranean complex.
The complex was originally established in 1629 and served as an air-raid shelter during World War II. Thousands of residents found protection in the tunnels from bombing campaigns.
The underground complex displays Greek and Roman construction techniques from different historical periods. Walking through the passages, visitors can observe how ancient builders shaped the stone and organized the space.
Visitors should wear sturdy shoes since the ground is uneven and passages can be narrow in places. Guided tours are regularly available and help explain the history and different functions of the complex.
The tunnel system connects to large water cisterns that once supplied the entire Ortigia district. This demonstrates the advanced water management technology that the ancient city had developed.
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