Augusta

Augusta, or AGOSTA, a fortified city of Sicily, 11 miles N. of Syracuse by rail. It stands on a rocky islet joined by a bridge to a peninsula projecting into the Mediterranean, and is near the site of the Megara Hyblæa of the ancients. The port is spacious, but of rather difficult access. Salt, oil, wine, cheese, fruit, honey, grain, and sardines are exported. Pop. 12,210. The town often suffered during the wars of the middle ages, and was in great part destroyed by earthquakes in 1693 and in 1848. Near it was fought in 1676 a great naval battle between the French under Duquesne, and a Spanish and Dutch fleet under the famous admiral De Ruyter. The latter was defeated, and received a wound of which he died at Syracuse.