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All Italy Syracuse Fonte Ciane
AO Edited

Fonte Ciane

According to legend, after Hades pulled Persephone into the underworld, one of her attendant nymphs cried so much that her tears formed this spring.

Syracuse, Italy

Added By
Marija Rodriguez
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Fonte Ciane   Wasserwiki.eu / CC BY-SA 4.0
Fonte Ciane   Wasserwiki.eu / CC BY-SA 4.0
Fonte Ciane   Stella / CC BY-SA 4.0
Papyrus at Fonte Ciane   Jacqueline Poggi / CC BY-SA 2.0.
Limestone remains at Fonte Ciane   Stella / CC BY-SA 4.0.
Walkway at Fonte Ciane   Marija Elektra / Atlas Obscura User
Ancient Tomb Converted to Paleo-Christian Chapel at Fonte Ciane   Marija Elektra / Atlas Obscura User
Bronze Age Tomb with Seal nearby at Fonte Ciane   Marija Elektra / Atlas Obscura User
Bronze Age Tomb at Fonte Ciane   Marija Elektra / Atlas Obscura User
Bronze Age Tomb and Greek Staircase near Fonte Ciane   Marija Elektra / Atlas Obscura User
In Nature at Fonte Ciane   Marija Elektra / Atlas Obscura User
Ruins at Fonte Ciane   Marija Elektra / Atlas Obscura User
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About

According to Ancient Greek-Sicilian mythology, the Fonte Ciane was the location where Hades entered the underworld with his bride Persephone, daughter of the goddess Demeter. As the Roman author Ovid recounts, Ciane—a water nymph and companion to Persephone—attempted to prevent Hades from absconding with his unwilling bride. When her rhetoric failed to persuade the god of the underworld, the nymph Ciane was overcome with grief and dissolved into tears, creating this azure lake.  

Diodorus Siculus’ The Library of History states that Hercules instituted worship rites for the goddesses at this site, and Gelon constructed a temple in their honor. Archaeologists have searched for the remains of this temple for over one hundred years, to no avail. 

The surrounding limestone area is littered with Bronze Age tombs. The grave goods from these tombs are displayed in the Museo Archeologico Regionale Paolo Orsi, and are culturally significant as they attest to contact with Mycenaean Greeks. 

The Fonte Ciane is also home to naturally growing papyrus—the only spot in Europe where it grows freely. The introduction of this papyrus was most likely a gift from Ptolemy II Philadelphus to Hiero II of Syracuse. 

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Burial Places Water Archaeology Underground Mythology Gates To Hell

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There is a scenic walkway approximately three kilometers long that leads to the temple of Olympian Zeus. 

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Added By

Marija Elektra

Edited By

Michelle Cassidy

  • Michelle Cassidy

Published

June 27, 2024

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  • Museo Archeologico Regionale Paolo Orsi https://parchiarcheologici.regione.sicilia.it/siracusa-eloro-villa-tellaro-akrai/
  • Ovid: The Metamorphoses
  • Diodorus Siculus: The Library of History
Fonte Ciane
2 Traversa Testa Pisima
Syracuse, 96100
Italy
37.041841, 15.234367
Get Directions

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Photo of Syracuse

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