Ex Museo archeologico di Siracusa, Cultural heritage office in Ortigia, Syracuse, Italy
The former Archaeological Museum palace is a neoclassical two-story building with a symmetrical facade featuring four rectangular ground-level windows. Its upper floor displays five arched openings separated by eight Ionic columns, paired with a grand entrance portal that defines the building's classical lines.
The building was constructed in the second half of the 1800s and replaced the former Convent of San Giovanni di Dio. That convent had previously housed the Archaeological Museum before its collections moved to this new neoclassical structure.
The building once housed a major coin collection displaying Greek, Roman, and medieval pieces found around Syracuse. These coins tell stories of the trade routes and peoples who moved through this ancient port city.
The building sits centrally in Piazza Duomo on Ortigia island, within walking distance of the cathedral square. The location is easily reached on foot and lies in the heart of the historic quarter, making it convenient to explore the surrounding area while taking in the region's architecture.
The palace's coin collection is documented with sheets and photographs, and many of the Greek, Roman and medieval pieces were found in Syracuse itself. The building is also called "Gabinetto Numismatico" after this permanent exhibition.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 93,604 contributors worldwide.