Einaudi Pi Greco Day - Syracuse Science Festival
Archimedes' science in the heart of Ortigia
About Einaudi Pi Greco Day
A science festival dedicated to Archimedes
The Einaudi Pi Greco Day is the annual event where the "Luigi Einaudi" Higher Education Institute of Syracuse celebrates International Pi Day (March 14th, 3.14 in the Anglo-Saxon notation) and, above all, the genius of the most illustrious citizen of Syracuse: Archimedes. Launched in 2019, the event has grown into a full-fledged science festival, turning the historic center of Ortigia into an open-air classroom.
Ortigia as a stage for mathematics
Activities unfold across some of the most evocative spots in the city of Syracuse: Piazza Duomo, Piazza Minerva, Piazzale Aretusa, Via Picherali, and Piazzetta San Rocco. The heart of the event is a massive STEM treasure hunt where dozens of student teams solve math, physics, Italian, and science riddles distributed across fourteen stations scattered throughout the island of Ortigia.
Games, challenges, and Archimedean tradition
Alongside the treasure hunt, the program features a photo contest focusing on monument details, relay races, and a symbolic 314-meter dash in Piazza Minerva, echoing the digits of pi. The riddles are often built around the inventions of Archimedes and the stomachion, the ancient geometric puzzle attributed to the Syracusan scientist. The day concludes with a grand celebration and a final flash mob at Largo Aretusa.
Science, school, and city
Promoted by the Einaudi Institute with the collaboration of the Municipality of Syracuse and the support of local entities like the "Noi Albergatori" association, Pi Greco Day is a public event that weaves together scientific outreach, innovative teaching, and the tourism promotion of south-eastern Sicily. Each edition pairs Archimedes with a major figure of global science, honoring the deep bond between Syracuse and the history of scientific thought.
Einaudi Pi Greco Day — edition 2026
2026 Edition: Tribute to Albert Einstein
The seventh edition of the Einaudi Pi Greco Day was held on Friday, March 13, 2026, from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM, between Piazza Duomo, Piazza Minerva, Piazzale Aretusa, Via Picherali, and Piazzetta San Rocco. Alongside the figure of Archimedes, the edition celebrated Albert Einstein as the scientist of the year.
The "Einstein treasure hunt" kicked off from Piazza Duomo: about 30 student teams had 3 hours and 14 minutes to solve riddles distributed across 14 stations in Ortigia, collecting pieces to reassemble the Archimedean stomachion. The program also included a photo contest, relay races, and the 314-meter dash in Piazza Minerva, with a party and final flash mob at Largo Aretusa. On Tuesday, March 17, 2026, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM, the IISS "Einaudi" Auditorium hosted the lecture "From Euryalus Castle to the Fortress of Archimedes."
Programme Einaudi Pi Greco Day 2026
Friday, March 13, 2026 (9:00 AM - 1:00 PM, Ortigia)
- Einstein treasure hunt: about 30 teams, 14 stations, math, physics, Italian, and science riddles
- Photo contest on the details of Ortigia's monuments
- Relay races and 314-meter dash in Piazza Minerva
- Party and final flash mob at Largo Aretusa
Tuesday, March 17, 2026 (9:00 AM - 12:00 PM, IISS Einaudi Auditorium)
- Lecture "From Euryalus Castle to the Fortress of Archimedes" by engineer Umberto Di Marco
Highlights Einaudi Pi Greco Day 2026
Prices Einaudi Pi Greco Day 2026
Practical information — Einaudi Pi Greco Day
Location
Activities take place outdoors in the historic center of Ortigia, Syracuse: Piazza Duomo, Piazza Minerva, Piazzale Aretusa, Via Picherali, and Piazzetta San Rocco. Lectures are held in the Auditorium of the IISS "Luigi Einaudi" on Via Canonico Nunzio Agnello.
Getting there
Ortigia is easily reachable on foot from the center of Syracuse; the train station is about 1.5 km away. By car, it is recommended to use the parking lots near the Umbertino Bridge, as the island is largely a restricted traffic zone.
Admission
The event is free and open to the public. The treasure hunt is reserved for participating schools.
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Where does it take place — Einaudi Pi Greco Day
Ortigia (Piazza Duomo, Piazza Minerva, Largo Aretusa)
Piazza Duomo, 96100 Siracusa