The 10 things you still do not know about the Arethusa Fountain
Why the Arethusa Fountain matters to Ortigia and Syracuse
The Arethusa Fountain is more than a pretty waterside spot in Ortigia. It is a symbol of Syracuse, a living freshwater spring beside the sea, and a place where myth, nature and history meet. The name comes from the ancient tale of Arethusa and Alpheus, which is why Syracuse and its people are often called Aretusean to this day. Stand at the balustrade and you will see papyrus swaying, ducks gliding and carp circling. Knowing how the Arethusa Fountain shaped the city makes the view even more powerful.
From myth to colony to city icon
A freshwater spring so close to the shoreline helped explain why the island of Ortigia was settled early on. The Arethusa Fountain provided drinking water in peace and a lifeline during sieges. Over centuries it survived earthquakes, engineering works and changing coastlines. Today it anchors a walk that takes in Piazza Duomo, the seafront of Lungomare Alfeo and views across the harbour of Syracuse in Sicily, a UNESCO World Heritage city with the nearby rocky necropolis of Pantalica. Learn more on UNESCO.
Curiosities about the most famous fountain in Syracuse
We have gathered ten verified highlights so you can read the Arethusa Fountain like a local guide.
1) The waters of the Arethusa Fountain are fed by the Ciane River, which crosses the Porto Grande beneath an impermeable layer of clay before rising at the spring.
2) During the Athenian siege of Syracuse in 414 BC, the stamina of the population was helped by access to the Arethusa Fountain. With a reliable source on Ortigia, the city avoided a humanitarian crisis even under extreme pressure.
3) In Greek and Roman times the Arethusa Fountain lay outside the city walls and was reachable from the sea, which made it both precious and vulnerable.
4) In the sixteenth century the spring was divided into channels used for tanning leather. Traces remain at sites such as the Old Wash House on the Ortigia seafront.
5) After the earthquake of 1169 the water that fed the Arethusa Fountain dried up for a time. When it returned, the spring became brackish, with salinity higher than typical freshwater.
6) The 1693 earthquake further reduced the flow of the Arethusa Fountain, and the basin partly dried until the channel stabilised again.
7) Admiral Horatio Nelson paused in Syracuse shortly before the Battle of Aboukir. Enchanted by the Arethusa Fountain, he wrote words of thanks for the water supplies taken here, a superstition turned good omen before victory.
8) The head of Arethusa once graced a Syracusan tetradrachm. On this ancient coin the nymph appears encircled by dolphins, a motif now echoed around the Arethusa Fountain. See examples under Greek tetradrachms.
9) In the twentieth century the visage of Arethusa became a national icon, reproduced in engravings and on Italian currency. In 1966 a 500 thousand lire banknote featured her image, underlining how the Arethusa Fountain permeates Italian culture.
10) In recent years the flow of the Arethusa Fountain has decreased, likely linked to long periods of drought. The basin is a fragile ecosystem, so respecting barriers and avoiding litter is essential.
How to visit the Arethusa Fountain today
For the best light at the Arethusa Fountain, come at golden hour when the stone glows and the sea turns silver. Start at Piazza Duomo, stroll to the balustrade on Lungomare Alfeo, then continue to the Aretusa belvedere. If you have time, follow the papyrus trail to the Ciane River Reserve for a longer nature walk. Families love spotting ducks and fish, photographers love reflections, and history fans can connect the myths of Arethusa with the reality of the spring.
Responsible travel tip: the Arethusa Fountain is a living habitat. Keep to paths, do not feed wildlife and avoid dropping anything into the water. Small actions protect a landmark that has sustained Syracuse for millennia.
Plan your route
Search for “Fonte Aretusa” on Google Maps or check the city overview on Visit Sicily before you go. A short circuit takes in the Arethusa Fountain, the cathedral square and the waterfront, and works well at sunset.