Anapo

Anapo
The river's mouth
Location
Country	Italy
Physical characteristics
Source	Monte Lauro
• elevation	986 m (3,235 ft)
Mouth	Ionian Sea
• coordinates	37.0552°N 15.2703°E / 37.0552; 15.2703
Length	40 km (25 mi)

The Anapo (Sicilian: Ànapu) is a river in Sicily whose ancient Greek name is similar to the word for "swallowed up" and at many points on its course it runs underground. The Greek myth of Anapus is associated with it.

The river springs from the Monte Lauro in the Hyblaean Mountains (hills), on the territory of Buscemi, crossing the whole territory of Syracuse, where it flows into the Ionian Sea together with the Ciane. Historically, its waters were used to feed the aqueduct of Syracuse, built in 480 BC by the tyrant Gelo and running for 22 kilometres (14 mi). Its waters now power the hydroelectrical station near Solarino.

During the 6th century BC, a large stone temple to Zeus Olympios was erected along the Anapo, 3 kilometres (1.9 mi) outside Syracuse. It measured around 20.5 by 60 metres (67 by 197 ft), and was one of the first Magna Graecian peripteral temples composed wholly of stone.

• 
  The Diddino bridge
• 
  The hydroelectric station of Anapo near Solarino

References

• Kreutz, Natascha, Zeus und die griechischen Poleis: topographische und religionsgeschichtliche Untersuchungen von archaischer bis in hellenistische Zeit, Rahden, Verlag Marie Leidorf, 2007. ISBN 9783896469830.

External links

• Fiume Anapo (in Italian)