Archaeological Museum
'Paolo Orsi'

The 'Paolo Orsi' archaeological museum in Syracuse has one of the most important collections of prehistoric, Greek and Roman art in Sicily and Italy. The museum is located nearby the Neapolis archaeological park. It covers more than 3000 square meters and hosts more than 18000 archaeological finds from Sicilian prehistory to the early Christian age (4th-5th century). The most important sector is the exhibition with the finds of the ancient Greek Syracuse from the foundation of the town (8th cent. B.C.) to the Roman conquer. In the other sectors it's possibile to admire finds of other areas of eastern Sicily and different ages. The numismatic collection is also very important and hosts rare ancient silver and gold coins. Booking this tour you will discover the archaeological museum of Syracuse with a private guide who will lead you through the various sectors and the most important masterpieces telling you about the local history and the ancient art. This tour can be booked by groups. schools, small parties, families and solo travellers. The tour inside the museum lasts about 1h30m and comprehends the highlights of the various sectors. It's also possible to book themed tours or with a different duration. The standard itineary starts from the prehistoric sector. Here you will see the the most ancient pottery found in Sicily but also the bones of animals which are extinct nowadays like the dwarf elephants which once lived on the island. In this sector it's also possible to learn more about the local civilizations of the bronze age like Castelluccio and Pantalica. This cultures are famous for their rock cut tombs and the site of Pantalica is an Unesco world heritage. In the following sectors it's possible to see the archaeological finds of Greek age in Syracuse and in the other Sicilian colonies. You will learn more about the organization of the towns, the architecture, sculpture and pottery. In the various show cases it's possible to admire examples of the most important Greek pottery styles: geometric, orientalizing, black and red figures. Our guide will tell you about the manufacture and uses of the various pottery types. Very important are also the sculptures of the museum. One of the masterpieces you will see is the Venus Landolina. The decorations of the great temples of Syracuse, like the Athenaion and Apollonion are impressive. Another masterpiece is the bust of Demeter with tenuous traces of color. In many show cases it's possible to see the finds of the necropolis. Here you will also see a small bronze horse, which was a present for a child. Nowadays it's the symbol of the 'Paolo Orsi' museum. At the first floor there are the sectors which were opened to visitors only in the last years: the hellenistic and the early Christian sector. In this last part of the tour you will see another masterpiece of the museum of Syracuse, the sarcophagus of Adelphia, which was found in the St. John's catacombs in Syracuse and which impresses for its beautiful reliefs.

Info and Booking

Contact us to book a walking tour or for information about rates of tailored tours. To answer your questions please let us know: how many people you are, date or period of the year for the visit, requested language.

Cancellation policy

Free cancellation for our private tours is possible up to 7 days before the tour. For further information please have a look at our complete terms and conditions.

Tailored tours

It's possible to book a tailored itinerary, visiting the 'Paolo Orsi' archaeological museum and including also other highlighs of the town or of the surroundings. Below you can find some of our itinearies in Syracuse which are bookable in a half day or full day tour. For a complete list please have a look at this page. Contact us for furher information.

Other tours in the surroundings

Below you find some possible additional itineraries for your visit in Syracuse