Plan des catacombes de Syracuse ; intérieur d'une des chambres sépulcrales des catacombes

Syracuse, the main city of classical Sicily, was settled by the Corinthians in the 8th century BCE. By the 2nd century CE, Syracuse was under Roman control, and it was during this time that the first burials took place in the area now known as the Catacombs of San Giovanni. Displayed here in this late 18th-century print, the catacomb complex is believed to have been built upon existing aqueducts and cisterns used by ancient Syracuse residents. The map illustrates the pathways in the underground complex, along with large open spaces called rotundas and their occuli, or skylights, while the scene below depicts an expedition in the sepulcher.

Courtesy of Boston Public Library

norman b leventhal map center collection boston public library norman b leventhal map center catacombs italy syracuse maps early works to 1800 pictorial works syracuse italy sicily region siracusa province atlases french louis jean desprez 1743 1804 jean augustin renard 1744 1807 pierre gabriel berthault 1737 1831 inte rieur d une des chambres se pulcrales des catacombes plan des catacombes ultra high resolution high resolution plan settlement antique maps

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Boston Public Library

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