Roman Gymnasium

Erroneously identified as a secondary school, the roman gymnasium probably dates to the second half of the first century AD.

Dug shortly after the middle of the nineteenth century, today is largely invaded by water as a result of sea level rise. It is enclosed within a portico, whose floor is elevated above that of the courtyard and accessed by stairs. During the excavations several statues belonging especially to male characters have been discovered; the only female statue found is of the late-Flavian period. The statues, which probably were placed inside the portico, are now preserved in the Museum “Paolo Orsi”.

At the center of the western side there is a small temple on the podium of Italic type, which houses one of the two side stairs; in the temple there is a vaulted roof room and a well. A second well and an altar are located in front of the temple; in the back, however there is a cave theater with marble steps.

Along the northern side of the portico, running parallel to it, there is a street perhaps identifiable with a section of the Via Elorina (Helorine odòs), which led from Syracuse to the sub-colony of Eloro.

The identification of the complex is still uncertain, although some scholars believe that it may be a sanctuary of oriental cults.