Built by the Syracusan tyrant Dionysius I, Eurialo Castle was a defensive fortress located on the highest point of the Epipoli district, about 7 km from Syracuse. It was built between 402 and 397 B.C. to protect the city from sieges and invaders. In 212 B.C. – after the Roman conquest by Consul Marcellus – the castle was modified until the Byzantine era, due to an Arab invasion threat. During World War II, the exhibits of the Archaeological Museum were hidden in the tunnels of the castle to protect them from bombing. After closure in 1990 due to an earthquake, the antiquarium was inaugurated and reopened on 30 September 2016. A helmet, sword and catapult balls are on display.
Inside, a completely free multimedia medium is available to learn the castle history.