Floridia between Baroque, Museums and Festival Culture

Floridia combines Baroque sacred architecture, museums, historic buildings and special festivals with a range of destinations in the surrounding area. This creates a travel destination that brings together art, craftsmanship, everyday history and a variety of excursion interests. The cultural highlights can be found both in individual churches and palazzi and in museums with a regional focus.

Baroque Sacred Architecture and Historic Buildings

The Chiesa del Carmine is an example of Baroque sacred architecture. Beneath the church there is a crypt with an altar and three ossuaries. The Chiesa Madre was built in 1748 with funding from Duke Ignazio Migliaccio; a few years later, it was erected on what is now Piazza del Popolo. Its three entrance portals were created between 2003 and 2004 by the sculptor Romeo Sandrin, who came from Padua.

The Galleria civica di arte moderna e contemporanea also combines art with the historic town centre. It is located on the piano nobile of the historic Palazzo “Raeli” in the heart of Floridia’s old town. Significant works by the Floridia-born artists Antonio Brancato, Tano Brancato, Lino Tinè and Turi Volanti are permanently displayed there. The four artists are regarded as internationally renowned painters and sculptors.

Museums between Working Life and Local Craft Culture

The Museo etnografico “Nunzio Bruno” documents the working lives of agricultural workers and craftspeople on the Hyblaean Plateau. It is housed in a building formed by combining the former district prison and the former Carabinieri barracks. As a result, the museum brings together regional everyday history and the building’s distinctive past.

The Museo etnografico “Nunzio Bruno” also documents a traditional Floridian bread shape called “a chicco di grano”. The Museo Francesco Lombardo di Giuseppe is a private museum in Floridia and was founded in 2010 by Giuseppe Lombardo in memory of Francesco Lombardo. The Museo Francesco Lombardo is also considered a museum in the vicinity of Floridia. Its handmade exhibits include rocking horses, “irti”, carts and carriages, as well as masks called “facceri”.

Festivals with Strong Local Connections

During Ascensione Week, an unsaddled horse race takes place along the city’s main street in Floridia. The Festa dell'Ascensione also includes the blessing of the horses in the forecourt of the Chiesa Madre. Another event is Scialacori: the Floridian Notte bianca is an evening festival with nighttime activities in the historic centre, held on the first weekend of September.

Destinations in the Surrounding Area of Floridia

The area around Floridia offers various themes for additional activities. Castello Eurialo is a castle in the vicinity of Floridia. Guglia di Marcello and Area archeologica di Thapsos are located there as ancient sites. Panorama dalla Terrazza del Teatro Greco provides a viewpoint for taking in the landscape in the surrounding area.

Several beaches are also part of this wider area: Spiaggia Arenella, Spiaggia finanza siracusa and Spiaggia Fontane Bianche are beaches in the vicinity of Floridia. When planning your trip, you can therefore choose between different focuses, including sacred architecture, museums and festivals in the town, as well as ancient sites, a viewpoint and beach destinations in the surrounding area.

Further destinations for your planning

Augusta, Villa Bibbia, Testa Dell'acqua, Ferla, Villa Vela, Francofonte, Carlentini, Granelli

To the overarching travel overview: Syracuse.