Even if you whisper your secrets while you’re inside the Ear of Dionysius in Sicily (in Italian: Orecchio di Dionisio or Orecchio di Dionigi), everyone will hear them, no matter whether they are close to you or at the furthest end of the cave. This man-made rock formation in Syracuse (southern Sicily) is designed so that even the slightest mumble is amplified clearly.

The Ear of Dionysius in Syracuse, Sicily | © Maria Angelova/www.203challenges.com

The rumor:

Rumor has it that the local tyrant Dionysius I of Syracuse ordered the huge grotto hewn into the rocks to keep prisoners inside. The opening in the ceiling was specially designed for the tyrant to overhear the prisoners whispering their dirty secrets. Another, more disturbing version of the story says the perfect acoustics served as an ancient microphone for the screams of the prisoners.

The truth:

As interesting as this portrayal of the cunning ruler may be, there has been no proof that it really happened. Archaeologists have found out that the cave was in fact used to provide water storage for Syracuse. The entrance of the cave was formed after a major earthquake caused one of the walls to collapse and, for obvious reasons, it was no longer possible to store water here.

What you’ve missed:

Earlier in the tourism history of the Ear, it was possible to get to that tiny opening in the ceiling of the cave and, copying Dionysius, actually hear for yourself the secrets people were whispering down in the pit. For safety reasons, access to the opening was later forbidden.

Fun fact:

Italian painter Caravaggio visited the cave during his trip to Sicily and is suspected by many historians to be the author of the rumor that Dionysius tortured his prisoners there. While Caravaggio was on the island, he painted a few of his most famous works, including The Burial of Saint Lucia in the church of Santa Lucia alla Badia on Piazza Duomo in Syracuse. You can enter the church for free to admire the impressive painting.

Burial of Saint Lucia by Caravaggio (1608)

The challenge:

When I visited the cave, there was an opera singer in one of the tourist groups next to me. At one point the lady burst into song, creating some hauntingly beautiful tones that echoed in a most amazing way for a few seconds. So, the challenge is: get to the bottom of the cave and sing your favorite song in full voice. You can record it to remember the experience.

How to get to the Ear of Dionysius:

The Ear of Dionysius is located in the Greek archaeological complex in Syracuse (when you enter, just follow the signs for the Ear). The ticket for the whole complex – which consists of an ancient amphitheater, a rock-hewn fountain and many limestone formations – costs 10 euros. Spare at least three hours for the site. Bring sunglasses, sunscreen and a hat as the sun is merciless and there are few places to hide from it.

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Scala dei Turchi is one of those places in Sicily whose images circulate the internet all the time, tempting, almost begging you to set foot on these glittering, unreal white rocks. There’s no doubt you’re in for an unusual beach experience when you head to this stretch of coast, which is set on a natural Sicilian staircase.

The legend

The name Scala dei Turchi translates as the ‘Stairs of the Turks’, referring to the Moorish and Turk pirates who used to attack the island at these cliffs. If you climb the stairs a bit further to the west, you will reach a small bay where the pirate ships used to berth. This beach is less known and less crowded.

Scala dei Turchi in Realmonte, Sicily.

How was Scala dei Turchi formed?

The bright white of the rocks is impossible to look at on a sunny day and you’ll have to put your sunglasses on to appreciate it in comfort. The teamwork of the elements has created this miracle – the color is due to the sedimentary marl rock, while the soft, wavy curves are a result of the wind and the sea. The cliff lies between two beaches, which is convenient if you want to feel sand between your toes.

Scala dei Turchi, Realmonte, Sicily.

What else?

While in Realmonte, visit the amazing underground salt mine, which features a church hewn into the rocks and walls adorned with natural dark and light stripes.

How to get to Scala dei Turchi (The Stair of the Turks)

Scala dei Turchi is located between Porto Empedocle and Realmonte. In the summer, there is a shuttle bus from Porto Empedocle to Scala dei Turchi. Otherwise, you can reach the site by taking a 30-minute walk from the center of Realmonte. There’s a parking lot, a few B&Bs and villas, and several places to enjoy a meal with a view.

Scala dei Turchi is 9 mi/15 km from Agrigento, 87 mi/140 km from Palermo, 110mi/180 km from Catania and 140 mi/230 km from Syracuse.

Map of Scala dei Turchi:

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You won’t meet lovers of sand beaches in the Bulgarian seaside village of Tyulenovo (Тюленово), simply because there is no sand in the area. Along the entire coastline there are only majestic cliffs, plunging 20-30 m (65-100 ft), with curious folds, pinnacles and hollows shaped by the crashing waves. Below them lie many underwater caves, while the remains of ships that have wrecked against the dangerous coast lie scattered across the sea bed. Relics from ancient civilizations have been found in rock niches throughout the years – maybe many more still remain undiscovered.

Tyulenovo, Bulgaria | © Maria Angelova/www.203challenges.com

What you will find in Tyulenovo

Lovers of diving and rock climbing, fans of wild sea beaches, explorers of ancient cultures and nature photographers are drawn to this place. Some pitch their tents right on the rocks, despite the strong wind, while others stay in family hotels and guest houses. But in Tyulenovo, everyone is searching for that extraordinary one thing that keeps popping up in your mind months after your visit.

Tyulenovo, Bulgaria | © Maria Angelova/www.203challenges.com

The seals of Tyulenovo

Although its name translates from Bulgarian as “the village of seals,” there are no longer any seals in Tyulenovo. They disappeared years ago, probably in the 1970s, although a lack of exact data makes it impossible to know for sure. Almost as blurry is the story of how they came to be in the village in the first place. Many put the seals’ presence down to Maria, a Romanian queen who loved to spend her holidays at her summer residence in the nearby town of Balchik (the present-day Castle of Balchik, open to visitors). In the 1930s she raised a pair of seals, then decided one day to let them free. The seals settled near Tyulenovo, which was at the time named Kalach Kyoy. The village was renamed Tyulenovo (“of the seals”) in 1942 because of those seals.

Even if you can’t dive, even if you can’t climb a rock, even if you don’t find a single cave once inhabited by the Thracians, it’s enough to wake up before sunrise, sit by the rock bridge and watch the sun shimmering off the waves.

Tyulenovo, Bulgaria | © Maria Angelova/www.203challenges.com

We challenge you to…

…get up before sunrise and welcome the sun on the rocky coast – an unforgettable experience!

Useful information:

The village of Tyulenovo is 80 km from Varna. You can take a bus from Sofia and Varna to Shabla, then a bus from Shabla to Tyulenovo. However, that bus runs only twice a week, so it’s faster to hitchhike or rent a car.

A map of the best vantage point in Tyulenovo:

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Just 100 km from Bulgaria’s capital, Sofia, near the village of Stob, are the Stob Pyramids – picturesque natural formations home to exciting legends.

This rare natural phenomenon is a result of the glaciers that once covered Rila Mountain. The pyramids were formed centuries ago, but their shape changes constantly due to erosion and decay. The pyramids are 6-10 m (20-32 ft) high and up to 40 m (130 ft) thick. Most are in the shape of a cone topped with stone hats.

The Stob Pyramids in Bulgaria | © Maria Angelova/203challenges.com

How to get there from Sofia

To get to the pyramids from Sofia, you will need to rent a car. Take the road to the famous Rila Monastery. Around 5 km (3 mi) after the town of Kocherinovo turn right to the village of Stob. There are signs to guide you through the whole village. The trail starts where the road ends – near St Procopius Church.  There is a tourist information center in the village, where you can ask about anything you want to know.

The winding eco-trail to the pyramids (with a total length of 1100 m/0.7 mi) starts here. It gradually gets narrower until it reaches the top. There is also an eco-trail for wheelchairs. The walk takes about 40 minutes and is worth every second, as it rewards you with a breathtaking panorama. From here, the Stob Pyramids look like a thick stone forest. It’s not hard to imagine that area enchanted with magic and fairy tale creatures.

The Stob Pyramids in Bulgaria | © Maria Angelova/203challenges.com

The legends of unfortunate love

All legends of this place are about unfortunate love. According to one of the legends, the place where the pyramids now stand once used to be a wide plain. Two lovers from the nearby village decided to get married, but the mother of the bride was against the wedding. She was so angry that she put a curse on all the guests, turning them to stone. The moment the groom kissed his bride, the curse came true and the whole plain was covered with most curious rocks.  

Another legend tells of the impossible love between a girl and a boy. The two lovers couldn’t live with their parents’ disapproval and jumped off the rocks. This is how the pyramid now known as The Bride came to be.

The pyramid we call The In-laws resulted from another failed wedding. The father-in-law couldn’t resist the heavenly beauty of the bride; he lifted her veil to kiss her, and at that moment all guests turned into stone.

Useful information

Make sure you bring comfortable shoes with you. Contact information: +359 879 130 338, piramidistob@abv.bg. Another 25 km (15 mi) into Rila Mountain is the biggest monastery in Bulgaria – Rila Monastery.

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