The province of Syracuse (; ) was a province in the autonomous island region of Sicily in Italy. Its capital was the city of Syracuse, a town established by Greek colonists arriving from Corinth in the 8th century BC.

The former province has a population of 382,450 in an area of across its 21 municipalities.

Geography

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The province of Syracuse lies in the southeastern Sicily, in southwestern Italy. It is bordered to the north and north-west by the province of Catania to the west by the province of Ragusa, and to the east and south by the Ionian and Mediterranean seas. It occupies an area of . In 2002, ancient centres of Noto, Palazzolo Acreide and six other towns in the Noto Valley, were awarded UNESCO World Heritage Site status, and is a significant attraction due to its historical, architectural, artistic and archaeological interest. The towns are particularly dense with late Baroque architecture, dates to the immense rebuilding of the towns which took place after the 1693 earthquake which devastated Sicily. The Park of Neapolis on the island of Ortygia is connected by three bridges to the mainland. The island contains the Castello Maniace, dated to the Hohenstaufen period and the Doric Temple of Athena, which was renovated by the Normans. Within the province lies Lago di Lentini, the largest lake in Sicily, and reputedly the largest artificial lake in Europe, which supports a marshland habitat with over 150 different species.

thumb|Modern Flag, adopted in 2015

Municipalities

There are 21 municipalities (comuni) in the province:

  • Augusta
  • Avola
  • Buccheri
  • Buscemi
  • Canicattini Bagni
  • Carlentini
  • Cassaro
  • Ferla
  • Floridia
  • Francofonte
  • Lentini
  • Melilli
  • Noto
  • Pachino
  • Palazzolo Acreide
  • Rosolini
  • Syracuse
  • Solarino
  • Sortino
  • Portopalo di Capo Passero
  • Priolo Gargallo

Demographics

As of 2026, the population is 382,450, of which 49.5% are male, and 50.5% are female. Minors make up 15.2% of the population, and seniors make up 24.2%.

Immigration

As of 2025, of the known countries of birth of 376,145 residents, the most numerous are: Italy (356,017 – 94.6%), Germany (2,696 – 0.7%), Romania (2,673 – 0.7%), Morocco (2,429 – 0.6%).

References

  • Official Province website
  • Pictures, history, tourism, gastronomy, books, local products, local surnames, transportation in the province of Syracuse