On the left side of the entrance door.

A rectangular marble plaque features inscriptions in both Italian and English, commemorating the collaboration between Sicily and the United States during the First Barbary War (18011805). At its center are three flags representing the United States, the Naval Order of the United States, and Italy, symbolizing their alliance. The text pays tribute to the U.S. Navys 3rd Mediterranean Squadron and its flagship, the U.S.S. Constitution, which operated from the Port of Syracuse. The plaque, dedicated by the Naval Order of the United States on October 24, 2025, is the second installment in a series of commemorative markers, following the first, which was unveiled in Valletta, Malta, in 2019.

Source of photos: Capt. William Steagall

IN MEMORIA DEI
MARINAI E DEI FANTI DE MARE DEL 3º SQUADRONE MEDITERRANEO
DELLA MARINA DEGLI STATI UNITI E DELLA NAVE AMMIRAGLIA
U.S.S. CONSTITUTION
CHE MOSSERO GUERRA AI PIRATI DI TRIPOLITANIA, OPERANDO DAL
PORTO DI SIRACUSA ED IN ALLEANZA CON IL REGNO DI SICILIA.

IL LORO INTREPIDO SERVIZIO CONTRIBUT A GARANTIRE LA
LIBERTÀ' DI COMMERCIO NEL MEDITERRANEO
DURANTE LA PRIMA GUERRA BARBARESCA DEL 18011805

PRESENTATO DAL
ORDINE NAVALE DEGLI STATI UNITI
2025

IN HONORED MEMORY OF
THE SAILORS & MARINES OF THE 3RD MEDITERRANEAN
SQUADRON OF THE UNITED STATES NAVY & ITS FLAGSHIP
U.S.S. CONSTITUTION
OPERATING FROM THE HARBOR OF SIRACUSA, THE US NAVY
ALLIED WITH THE KINGDOM OF SICILY MADE WAR ON THE
BARBARY PIRATES OF TRIPOLITANIA.

THEIR INTREPID SERVICE HELPED TO SECURE FREEDOM OF
COMMERCE IN THE MEDITERRANEAN SEA DURING THE
FIRST BARBARY WAR OF
18011805

PRESENTED BY
THE NAVAL ORDER OF THE UNITED STATES
2025