The Ear of Dionysius is an amazing cave. Ear of Dionysius Ear of Dionysus of Syracuse
The Ear of Dionysius is a limestone cave located in Syracuse, Sicily (Syracuse). It has such a name because of its shape, which resembles a human ear. Its origin is not known for certain. The main version says that this cave was created artificially on the site of an ancient quarry. Although some researchers put forward a version that the Ear of Dionysius is much older and has a natural origin.
The cave is 23 m high, and its length is 65 m deep into the cliff. If you look at it from above, you will notice that the cave has a bend in the shape of the letter S. And the entrance to the cave is in the shape of a drop. Inside, the cave narrows towards the top.
This shape of the cave is the reason that it has incredibly good acoustics - even a quiet whisper is heard throughout the room.
Name.
The cave got its name, “Ear of Dionysius” in 1586, and it was given such an unusual name by none other than the great Italian artist Caravaggio.
Why exactly this name? There are several legends explaining the reason that Caravaggio named this cave that way. According to one of them, the Syracuse tyrant Dionysius used this cave as a prison for his political opponents and, thanks to the perfect acoustics, overheard their plans and learned their secrets.
Another legend says that Dionysius ordered to knock out the cave in the shape of an ear to amplify the screams of the prisoners who were brutally tortured here. The first legend seems more plausible to me. Unfortunately, we will not know exactly which of the legends the artist was guided by, as it is already impossible today to enjoy that magnificent acoustics, since access to it center point closed.
Ear of Dionysius - this is also the name of the type of auditory tube with a flexible hose.
Origin.
Supporters of the natural origin of the cave argue that it is located on a low slope of a hill, consisting of solid rocks, and may have formed as a result of rains in prehistoric times. Similar geological formations can be seen in the US state of Utah. The narrowness of the upper part of the cave and the widening downward, along with the serpentine shape, are also characteristic of slotted canyons.
Ear of Dionysius is an artificial limestone cave carved into the Temenite cliffs in Syracuse. The name of this tourist attraction comes from its resemblance to the shape of the human ear.
Probably, the Ear of Dionysius was formed on the site of an ancient quarry for which the city was famous. The cave is 23 meters high, and its length is 65 meters deep into the cliff. If you look at it from above, you can see that the cave has a bend in the shape of the letter S. And the entrance to the cave is shaped like a drop. It is because of this shape that the cave has incredibly good acoustics - even a quiet whisper is heard throughout the room.
The cave got its name in 1586, and was invented by none other than the great Italian artist Caravaggio. The name refers to the tyrant from Syracuse Dionysius I. According to the legend (possibly also invented by Caravaggio), Dionysius used this cave as a prison for his political opponents and, thanks to wonderful acoustics, overheard their plans and ferret out secrets. Another, more terrible, legend says that Dionysius ordered to knock out the cave in the shape of an ear, so that it amplified the screams of the prisoners who were brutally tortured here. Unfortunately, today it is no longer possible to enjoy that great acoustics, since access to its central point is closed.
By the way, Dionysius' ear is also called a type of hearing tube with a flexible hose, and this term is also used to refer to surveillance, especially for political purposes.
But in general there are very serious reasons to believe that the cave is still of natural origin. Since it is located on a low slope of a hard rock, it may have formed as a result of rainfall in prehistoric times. Similar canyon-shaped formations can be seen in abundance in the US state of Utah. The narrowness of the upper part of the cave and widening in the lower part, along with the serpentine-like shape, are also characteristic of slotted canyons. And the literally polished walls are further proof of the long-lasting effect of the water. Such a natural attraction, combined with incredible acoustics, most likely led to the fact that the ancient people considered this place sacred, and therefore it is well preserved.
The Mediterranean island of Sicily is rich in wonders, to which, without a doubt, can be ranked - a limestone cave located in the city of Syracuse. As you might guess, it got its name due to the fact that in shape and properties it resembles the human ear.
The cave has a very specific acoustic shape, and therefore, an amazing sound effect can be observed in it. Even a very quiet sound produced in one is strictly a certain place, can be perfectly heard in a completely different, close to the exit, end of the cave. It is this property of the Ear of Dionysius that glorified him all over the world.
The height of the vaults of the Ear of Dionysius reaches 23 meters, the tunnel goes 65 meters deep into the rock. The cave, narrowing strongly towards the top, has the shape of a drop, but if you imagine it in a horizontal plane, it will resemble the letter "s". It is thanks to this unique shape that the cave has amazing properties.
The cave owes its current name to the great Italian artist Caravaggio, who invented it back in 1586. Dionysius I is a Syracuse tyrant who lived in the 4th century BC. e .. He became famous for his exceptional cruelty and inhumanity. It is believed that the name of the cave was given in his honor. According to legend, the cave attracted Dionysius very much and was used by him as a prison for keeping his political opponents. Thanks to its acoustic properties, he easily inferred the plans and secrets of his opponents. But it is possible that this legend was invented by Caravaggio himself.
There is another legend, more terrible than the first. It says that by order of Dionysius, the cave was knocked out in the shape of an ear, in order to amplify the cries of the tortured prisoners in it.
However, there are very good reasons to believe that the Ear of Dionysius is still of natural origin. The cave may have been formed in prehistoric times, under the influence of heavy rains. This theory is supported by the fact that the Ear of Dionysius is located on a low slope of a hill, which consists of hard rocks, and in shape resembles the forms of canyons, which can be seen in large numbers on geographic map Utah State (USA).
Due to its excellent acoustics and unusual shape, the ancient people revered the Ear of Dionysius as a sacred place, which helped it survive well to our time. But the limestone, of which the cave is known to be composed, is very sensitive to environmental conditions, and it degrades over time. Today, unfortunately, the acoustic phenomenon has become inaccessible to us, since due to the collapse, the "focus" site is closed from people.
Information for tourists
You can read about other sights of Sicily at http://travels.co.ua. After all, this is the most big Island Mediterranean Sea, which is the progenitor of ancient civilizations.
Dionysius Ear Cave Address
Italy, the city of Syracuse, Viale Paradiso, on the territory of the Archaeological Park.
It works from 9-00 to 18-00, the visit to the cave is free.
It was my old dream to visit Syracuse, the birthplace of Archimedes. Of course, when we were vacationing in Sicily, in Taormina, I had to visit this legendary greek city... Below on the map are the attractions that we visited.
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1 ... Archaeological park - quarries ( Ear of Dionysus), Greek theater of Syracuse, Roman amphitheater, 2. Source of Arethusa, 3 ... Cathedral Piazza square del Duomo, 4. Temple of Apollo - one of the first in Syracuse, 5 ... Archimedes square, 6 ... Catacombs of st john
Ruins of the Temple of Apollo - the first in Greek Syracuse.
A bit of the history of Syracuse.
Syracuse- one of the first Greek colonies on the island. This ancient city was founded by the Corinthians around 735 BC. NS. The settlement arose on the island of Ortigia, around the freshwater source of Aretusa. A legend is associated with this source. According to which Arethusa is a nymph. She chose to become a source rather than submit to the river god Alpheus.
Dionysius the Elder
Syracuse became famous for its tyrants. By the way, a tyrant is a person who forcibly seized power. One of them was Dionysius the Elder(405 - 367 BC)
He arrested his rich enemies. And he divided their lands among the ruined poor. With the remaining money, he recruited mercenaries, drove out the Carthaginians and united two-thirds of Sicily under his single rule. Dionysius' scouts and informers were the best in Greece.
Quarries "ear of Dionysus" The famous Syracuse quarries served as hard labor for Dionysius, where he kept his opponents. Here people suffered for years and decades, gave birth to children, and when they grew up and were released, they shied away from the sunlight. These old quarries are called "Ear of Dionysus". Because of that in these quarries there was excellent acoustics and everything that the prisoners said among themselves became known to Dionysius.
entrance to the quarry One of the legends is associated with a friend of Dionysius Damocles. Once he expressed a desire: "I wish I could live like tyrants live!" Dionysius replied: "Please!" Damocles was sumptuously dressed, seated behind a magnificent steel and began to serve. Damocles was enjoying his meal when he noticed a horsehair sword hanging from the ceiling above his head. And then the piece got stuck in his throat. He asked: "What does this mean?" This is how the expression "Sword of Damocles" appeared.
Greek theater in Syracuse - one of the largest in the ancient world Dionysius was an amateur poet. The lyricist Philoxenus was his advisor. Once Dionysius read his poems to him. And Philoxenus listened and said: "Bad!" Then the tyrant was angry and ordered to throw him into the quarry. They say that when Dionysius called him again and read new verses, Philoxenus sighed, turned to the chief of the guard and said: "Lead me back to the quarry!" This time Dionysius laughed and forgave him. One of the faces in the Syracuse quarries was called Filoxenov.
Under Dionysius I, Syracuse consisted of four quarters. The population reached 500,000. At the highest point of the city was the Acropolis. Now Cathedral Square is here. On the site of the cathedral was the temple of Athena. The remains of its columns can be seen inside the cathedral.
Doric columns - part of the temple of Athena, used in the construction of the cathedral The capture of Syracuse and the death of Archimedes
Syracuse was a supporter of Rome in the war with Carthage. However, in 215 BC. NS. after the death of Tsar Hieron II, Sircuse concluded a treaty with Carthage. This was a big mistake. Because in 214, the Roman military leader Marcellus approached Syracuse with an army and laid siege to it from sea and land. During the capture of Syracuse, the famous scientist Archimedes died.
Archimedes square Archimedes was born in 287 BC. in Syracuse. He studied in Alexandria and his first works were devoted to mechanics. Archimedes was not only a mathematician and mechanic, but also one of the greatest engineers and designers of his time. For example, he invented the "Snail" machine for irrigating fields, a water-lifting propeller (Archimedes' propeller), and various military vehicles.
Roman amphitheater ruins When the Romans laid siege to Syracuse, it was Archimedes' turn. The Greek historian Plutarch wrote: “With the double attack of the Romans (from land and sea), the Syracusans were numb, struck with horror. That they could withstand such forces, such a powerful host? Archimedes started up his cars. The land army was struck by a barrage of projectiles and huge stones thrown with great swiftness. Nothing could oppose their cause, they overthrew everything before them and brought confusion into the ranks. As for the fleet, suddenly, from the height of the walls, the logs fell, due to their weight and natural speed, onto the ships and drowned them. "
Ear of Dionysius is a limestone cave in the vicinity of Syracuse, widely known for its extraordinary acoustics. According to one version, the cave was cut in the rock by stonecutters, and it was intended for storing water, according to the other, the cavity is of natural origin. Attention is drawn to the narrow and high entrance, reminiscent of the gates of the cathedral.
The height of the Ear of Dionysius is 23 m, and the width in different places varies from 5 m to 11 m. Deep into the rock, the only passage of the cave goes 65 m, and it has an S-shaped bend. This leads to excellent audibility inside it. The unusual name of the cave is associated with the legend of the Syracuse tyrant Dionysius, who imprisoned his political enemies, literary critics and slaves in it. Suffering immense suspicion, he approached the entrance to the cave and overheard the conversations of the prisoners (according to other sources, he enjoyed the screams of the tortured). Among his captives was the famous Greek philosopher Plato. Currently, the acoustic effect is less pronounced, since part of the cave is closed due to the threat of a collapse.
Dionysius's ear on the map
Type: Caves Address: Parco Archeologico della Neapolis, Siracusa, Sicilia, Italia. Opening hours: daily 9.00-18.00, on days when performances take place in the nearby amphitheater, access to the cave closes at 16.30. Cost: The visit to the cave is included in the ticket price for the Naples Archaeological Park (10 €). How to get there: from the railway station of Syracuse, take buses No. 21, 22, 23, 27.