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This is a beautiful promenade, where many come to walk and relax. It is said that the trees make people want to spend the day under them.
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Santa Maria delle Colonne
This was built as a Greek Temple of Athena in the 5th century BC on older foundations. In the 7th century it was converted to a church, incorporating most of its former construction including the Doric columns. In the 9th century, it became a mosque; in the 11th century the Normans converted it back into a church adding a new roof with mosaics in the apses. Then after the 1693 Sicily earthquake it was rebuilt in grand Baroque style.
Ipogei di Piazza del Duomo
A sort of dungeon under the Piazza Duomo decorated with theatrical setting from the various Greek performances.
In the apse, behind the altar, there was a large painting of the "Burial of Saint Lucy" by Caravaggio which was returned to Chiesa di Santa Lucia al Sepolcro.
Font of Arethusa
It's a pond with a fresh water source surrounded by papyrus reeds, which inspired many poets and writers. The legend says that Alpheus, son of Oceanus, fell madly in love with a nymph named Aretusa. The nymph didn't share his feelings. To save her, Artemis turned her into a water source. Zeus also turned Alpheus into a river, allowing him to meet up with Aretusa, but these watery legends are sending a stern strategic message. Ortigia has its own fresh water supply, drawn from the limestone aquifers, so its enemies should think twice about trying to besiege it.
The first sight you reach after crossing the bridge are these remnants of a temple to Apollo, with two columns and part of the wall. You can't enter, just look over the railings.