Decline and Resilience of a Mediterranean City: the Case of Syracuse during Thirteen Centuries

Syracuse, great Byzantine capital, seat of the "Stratega”, knew a medieval decline but became a focal point of fortified structures during Early Modern Age within the Kingdom of Sicily. This wonderful and challenged city faced a new decline at the beginning of the contemporary age. In fact, many hopes of economic development were born in the 1950/60 with the start of a process of industrialization but actually it was a heavy failure. A new era appeared at the end of the 20th century with the urban planning, restoration and regeneration, and the final success, obtained as tourist capital of the Mediterranean. This important goal is represented by the island/district of Ortigia, connected to the main land, through two bridges. The aim of this paper is to examine the long term urban history and the different phases which followed during thirteen centuries in an "accordion city.