The Ciane river empties into the great harbor of Siracusa in Sicily. The Ciane's course runs parallel to the Anapo river. Originally, it is said, that the Ciane was a tributary of the Anapo. The mythology goes on to state that the two rivers flowing parallel to each other, got married like the two river deities: the nymph Ciane became the bride of Anapo.
The course of the Ciane River is rather short, about four kms and a half from the spring, but what makes the Ciane a very special and protected area is that along its course the banks are covered with papyrus that grow there naturally. This is the only place in Europe where this occurs.
This plant was likely introducedby the Egyptians in the Hellenistic Age. Papyrus could be found in other parts of Sicily but they are now extinct except in Siracusa. Here they still grow and are cultivated to provide the material for the artisan industry of papyrus paper production just as in Ancient Egypt.
It is possible to take a memorable boat ride (seven km) from the Marina di Siracusa that steams along the banks of the river Ciane to the spring of Fonte Ciane. The Fonte is venerated as the place where Pluto plunged into the earth following the abduction of Persephone. Some call this area the papyrus cathedral.
Boat Excursion to the River Ciane
via del Candela, 19
96100 Siracusa
Sicilia
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