Gaetano Salemi, a 49-year-old Sicily travel expert at Go Ask A Local, experienced the hottest temperature ever recorded in Europe when Syracuse hit 48.8C on August 11, 2021. The ferocious heat was driven by an anticyclone dramatically dubbed 'Lucifer', which swept in from North Africa and fuelled devastating wildfires across Sicily and Calabria. Firefighters battled 300 blazes in a single 12-hour period.
Surviving the Scorching Heat
Salemi concedes the heat can feel like 'torture' if not handled properly. His survival strategy includes avoiding going out in the middle of the day, sheltering in air-conditioned apartments, and swimming in the sea regularly. 'I have lived all my life here, so we know it happens. But sometimes it's hard, and we feel weak. We just want to stay at home with the air conditioning,' he told the Mirror. He added that Sicilians know to drink a lot, avoid peak sun hours, and use common sense.
Comparing the heat to the UK's recent 36.7C record in Somerset, Salemi noted: 'What people in England are experiencing right now is much worse. You're not prepared for that. Somehow, we accept it.'
Exploring Syracuse's Historic Centre
Despite the extreme heat, Syracuse offers rich history, especially on the island of Ortygia, which contains landmarks like the Temple of Apollo, the Fountain of Arethusa, and the Cathedral of Syracuse. 'It's the historical centre and it's like a little village. The Syracusans consider themselves fully Syracusans if they're born on the little island,' Gaetano explained. 'It's a little jewel. The centre is mostly pedestrianised.'
The Ancient Greek Theatre
The Greek Theatre of Syracuse, carved into Temenite Hill in the 5th century BC, is one of the largest and oldest surviving ancient theatres in the Western world. It continues to host classical Greek plays every summer. 'Every year, there are ancient Greek tragedies performed there. Recently, Aeschylus's play The Persians was played there. Aeschylus himself performed it at the same theatre 2,500 years ago,' Gaetano said.
Syracuse Cathedral and Local Treats
Syracuse Cathedral offers a unique blend: a baroque exterior and an ancient Greek Doric temple interior. Visitors can also enjoy granita, a Sicilian semi-frozen dessert made from sugar, water, and local flavours like Syracuse lemon, perfect for cooling off on a hot day.
