Siracusa Apartment occupies the first floor of an early twentieth-century building on Ortigia, the ancient island that forms the historic heart of Siracusa. The apartment sits directly above the city's daily market, where vendors of fresh fish, vegetables, and spices set up each morning beneath the balconies. Designed and renovated by its architect owner, the 85-square-metre interior reveals layers of the building's past—original decorated plasterwork uncovered beneath later paint, antique cement floor tiles, high vaulted ceilings—set against contemporary additions in polished concrete, designer lighting, and custom furniture. The result is an eclectic space where historic detail and modern design inform one another.
The baroque towns of southeastern Sicily spread across the surrounding region. Noto lies forty minutes to the south, with Modica and Ragusa Ibla both reachable within an hour. The beaches at Fontane Bianche and the Vendicari nature reserve sit along the coast to the south, whilst the Greek theatre and archaeological park of Siracusa itself are a ten-minute drive from Ortigia. Catania's international airport can be reached in approximately one hour. Within Ortigia, the Temple of Apollo, the cathedral square, and the waterfront promenades are all within a few minutes' walk, as are the restaurants, cafés, and shops that line the island's narrow streets.
The kitchen forms the centre of the apartment, arranged around a fully equipped stainless steel island positioned to catch light from the large windows and balcony doors that overlook the market below. Quality fixtures throughout provide effective insulation from the street noise, allowing the apartment to remain a quiet retreat despite its position at the heart of the market activity. The living area opens onto a small wine cellar lined with antique majolica tiles, stocked with local Sicilian wines for guests to enjoy during their stay. Both bedrooms are furnished with the same considered mix of design pieces, craftsmanship, and period elements that characterise the apartment throughout.
The building's entrance and communal stairwell retain the weathered character typical of Ortigia's historic palazzo buildings—an authentic aspect of staying within the old town rather than a contemporary development. The apartment itself, reached via three short flights of stairs, contrasts with this shared space through its careful restoration and attention to detail.
BEDROOMS CONFIGURATION
King bedroom with ensuite bathroom with shower
Queen bedroom with private bathroom with shower
