Ear of Dionysius

The Ear of Dionysius is an artificial cave cut into the limestone cliffs of the Neapolis Archaeological Park, 23 metres high and 65 metres deep, with an S-shaped interior that produces extraordinary acoustic effects. Speak in a whisper anywhere inside and your voice is amplified to a shout — an effect that was almost certainly intentional, whether for the theatrical, religious, or surveillance purposes that various historians have proposed.

The cave is one of four latomie — ancient quarries — that supplied the stone for classical Syracuse. The other three have been partially turned into gardens; the Ear is the most dramatic single feature. Inside the park, follow the path from the entrance past the Greek Theatre to find the cave entrance, which opens in the cliff face below the theatre.

things to do sight
A story
The cave was named by the artist Caravaggio during a visit in 1586, who said it resembled the shape of a human ear. Legend holds that Dionysius I, tyrant of Syracuse, imprisoned enemies and slaves in the cave and listened through a hole at the top — using the acoustic amplification to eavesdrop on their conversations. No contemporary source records this, but it remains one of the more compelling origin stories in ancient history.

Other places in Things to Do