Free Municipal Consortium of Syracuse

The Free Municipal Consortium of Syracuse is an administrative region in southeastern Sicily covering coastal areas along the Ionian Sea and farmland across the Hyblaean Mountains. The territory spans roughly 2,100 square kilometers and includes 21 municipalities coordinated from a central administration based in Syracuse.

This administrative entity was established in 2015, replacing the former Province of Syracuse that had governed the region since 1865. The change was part of Italy's effort to streamline administrative structures in Sicily and adapt to modern governance needs.

The territory is home to UNESCO World Heritage towns like Noto and Palazzolo Acreide, where baroque buildings shape the daily life and identity of residents. Walking through these places, you see how people naturally live within these historic settings, making them living communities rather than just monuments.

The region is accessible by road, with Syracuse serving as the central hub connecting the various municipalities. To explore the area fully, using private transportation or a rental car is practical, as the towns spread across a wide territory.

The territory is home to Lake Lentini, Sicily's largest artificial reservoir, which supports a range of plant and animal species. This lake serves both as a water source for local farming and as a vital habitat for birds and wildlife.