Today we travelled from Agrigento to Naxos in the Taormina area.
A misty sea fog greeted us at breakfast but the sun was out by 8am and another hot day emerged.
Yesterday as we neared Agrigento we saw some large ruins high on the hillside. The promise of what was in store today.
This morning we had a guide who led us through The Valley of the Temples archaeological site.
The Greek city states of Crete and Rhodes settled this section of the Sicilian coast from 500BC until they were ousted by the Carthaginians around 400AD. In those 900 years they created a huge settlement including several temples.
The first at the top is called the Temple of Juno. It has been partially rebuilt.
There were catacombs carved into the rock used as tombs.
As late as 2006 two large Roman statues were unearthed in pristine condition in this area.
This Temple, known as Concordia, due to some inscriptions found on the site. This temple is still in the same state as was two and a half thousand years ago. Built with mathematical precision.
The sculpture in front is of Icarus, created and donated by a Polish sculptor.
The Greeks brought Afghani goats with them for milk and cheese products and the same breed still graze on the site today.
In the 1920s an English Naval office, Alexander Hardcastle, fell in love with the area. He built a villa and created a garden with almonds, olives, pistachio and many other plants and then became fascinated with the history. He financed much of the excavation of the buildings, ensuring that the artefacts found remained in Italy.
The latest temple to be reconstructed is the Temple of Ercole.
All of these temples were built only a few decades apart.
Back on the road for a few hours on our air conditioned bus. It reached 37o as we travelled along. Delightful distractions along the way.
Back on the road for a few hours on our air conditioned bus. It reached 37o as we travelled along. Delightful distractions along the way.
Lunch, with lots of options, at a cafeteria on the site of Villa Romana del Casale.
The Villa del Casale is inland in the south- west of Sicily.
There is no certainty about its origin but the main theory is that it belonged to Maximian, a co - emperor with Diocletian in the 4th century AD.
The most significant legacy of the villa is the stunning mosaic work which depict life at the time. Some are in pristine condition. Mainly manly pursuits like hunting, sailing, bringing exotic African creatures by boat for Roman games and contests. There is one section about women, nick-named the ‘Bikini Girls’.
Orange groves all through the Catania plateau with Mount Etna as a backdrop.
Hotel Kalos in Naxos with sea views.
We are here for two nights. Looks wonderful.
A meal, music and wine tasting at a cantina on Mt Etna, Tenuta San Michele for dinner. Lots of fun.
M&M
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