This spectacular monumental complex of huge ancient stone quarries, reaching up to about 50 m in height, in a luxuriant setting of Mediterranean plants, is known around the world particularly for the presence of an artificial cave called the Ear of Dionysus. It is similar in shape to the human ear canal and has extraordinary acoustic properties: a simple hiss generates a loud rumble with an echo effect. This phenomenon gave rise to the legend that the tyrant Dionysius locked political opponents in this "talking cave" so that he could secretly listen to their speeches.