The Two Brothers Rocks (Italian: Scoglio Due Fratelli; Sicilian I Ru' Frati) are a rock formation in the Ionian Sea to the north-east of Syracuse in Sicily.[1]
The two rocks are located between the districts of Grottasanta, Mazzarona and Tunis Avenue, in a bay called "Coast of Piliceddi". The coasts in the area are jagged, except for a small beach formed by the disintegration of the rocks. The depth of the sea does not exceed 20 meters.
Three versions:
Both the flora and fauna are typical of the Mediterranean. There are several species of aquatic plants, mostly neptune grass. The fauna is composed of crabs, shellfish, sea urchins, octopus, starfish, fish of various species, moray eels, and there can be stingrays. In 2005, there was an influx of jellyfish, mostly Pelagia noctiluca. Other seaside towns saw an increase in jellyfish. The Pelagia noctiluca is very irritating and has hurt many people whom have tried to swim.
Tourism is mainly present in the summer, between the months of June and September. The tourists who come to visit this place are particularly attracted by the beauty of the sea and the landscape of jagged cliffs. There are boat tours driven by professionals, which take tourists to visit the sea and rocks. The tour, lasting about half an hour, begins from the island of Ortigia, then passes from the coast of sea grottoes of Syracuse, and finally arrives at the "Two Brothers", where it stops for a few minutes to give tourists the possibility to swim. Afterward, they repeated the same round, bringing the tourists to Ortigia.
This is a particularly suitable place to spend some time in contact with marine nature, repose and also for fun. The two rocks are also a great place for diving. There is also practiced spearfishing, given the abundance of the fauna.
The two rocks are accessible through the Via Sicilia, situated in the district of Grottasanta. Going from this to its end, and turning right, there is a destroyed wall, and immediately after the bike path. After this there is a large lawn by Mediterranean, bounded by cliffs overlooking the sea ("Coast of Piliceddi"), and from there the two rocks are visible. Walking centrally towards the cliff, you will reach a cliff with a short, steep descent, where you can see the stairs carved into the rock of ancient origin. Going down toward the reef closest to the sea, one arrives at a small peninsula, where the rocks of "Two Brothers" are only accessible by the sea. Somewhere between the mainland and the rocks there are around 60 meters of distance.