Caltagirone’s Ceramics and Agrigento’s Valley of the Temples
On our way to Agrigento we stopped in the town of Caltagirone. Since the Middle Ages, its artisans have produced majolica, the colorful, tin-glazed earthenware that is so characteristic of Mediterranean ceramics. Greg's wallet was about to become quite a bit lighter - and my suitcase quite a bit heavier - but the dang shops closed up as we ate lunch.
The highlight is undoubtedly the 142 steps (Greg counted) of the Scalinata di Santa Maria del Monte that connect the lower town with the older upper town.
What really makes this staircase special is that each of the 142 steps of the Scala Santa Maria del Monte is decorated with hand-crafted ceramics.
Our reward at the top was the most brilliant of the ceramics and a simple, tasty sandwich from a very simple store.
On a whim we decided to turn against GPS and follow a sign. It added 6 minutes to our destination. I don't know, maybe Sicily is wrong and GPS is right after all? We didn't follow anymore signs.
We arrived to a much-welcomed sunny, blue-skied Agrigento. We came specifically to see the splendid archaeological park called Valley of the Temples. Dating back to 500 BC, the series of Ancient Greek temples stand together in a row along the cliff looking out over the Mediterranean. Never having been to Greece, I was very excited to see something I have spent a lifetime hearing about.
A unique way to tour the temples is on Easyway's guided electric scooter tour. Once again we were the only ones on the tour. Our guide was fabulous - not only did he speak fluent English and have a thorough knowledge of history - he was also gifted in explaining it to us and answering all of our questions.
Zipping through the temples on the scooters was a ton of fun! I, however, was not an eloquent learner. Greg carefully followed me, anticipating a crash. I could not smoothly control the throttle so kept lurching forward. If you go, beware. The lady driving does not have the control you assume she has. I couldn't believe people so willingly stepped in front of and next to me.
The Temple of Concordia is one of the best preserved Greek temples in the world. It was incredibly magnificent - and high on my list of architectural wonders of the world. It's been standing here intact, watching time and civilizations pass for 2500 years!
Visiting the temples in the late afternoon meant we could see them glowing in the golden sunlight, then capture their silhouettes in the sunset, and finally see them bathed in the light of the full moon... truly a spectacular sight to behold!
We stayed inside the archaeological Park at Villa la Lumia. It's every bit the wonderful Italian villa described in books and movies - plus surrounded by incredible history.
For dinner we stayed in the compound of our B&B to dine outdoors on the patio overlooking the temples - joined by 7 other guests. The local cuisine was prepared by the uncle all day in the outdoor kitchen. We felt like royal guests, enjoying worldly conversation, fine wine, and surreal surroundings.
The highlight is undoubtedly the 142 steps (Greg counted) of the Scalinata di Santa Maria del Monte that connect the lower town with the older upper town.
What really makes this staircase special is that each of the 142 steps of the Scala Santa Maria del Monte is decorated with hand-crafted ceramics.
Ceramic stairs in Caltagirone.
Are we going up? All the way? -- Greg
Our reward at the top was the most brilliant of the ceramics and a simple, tasty sandwich from a very simple store.
All 142 steps are completely lined with hand painted tiles - these are the last few stairs at the top
On a whim we decided to turn against GPS and follow a sign. It added 6 minutes to our destination. I don't know, maybe Sicily is wrong and GPS is right after all? We didn't follow anymore signs.
We arrived to a much-welcomed sunny, blue-skied Agrigento. We came specifically to see the splendid archaeological park called Valley of the Temples. Dating back to 500 BC, the series of Ancient Greek temples stand together in a row along the cliff looking out over the Mediterranean. Never having been to Greece, I was very excited to see something I have spent a lifetime hearing about.
A unique way to tour the temples is on Easyway's guided electric scooter tour. Once again we were the only ones on the tour. Our guide was fabulous - not only did he speak fluent English and have a thorough knowledge of history - he was also gifted in explaining it to us and answering all of our questions.
Zipping through the temples on the scooters was a ton of fun! I, however, was not an eloquent learner. Greg carefully followed me, anticipating a crash. I could not smoothly control the throttle so kept lurching forward. If you go, beware. The lady driving does not have the control you assume she has. I couldn't believe people so willingly stepped in front of and next to me.
Electric scooter tour with Easyway
The Temple of Concordia is one of the best preserved Greek temples in the world. It was incredibly magnificent - and high on my list of architectural wonders of the world. It's been standing here intact, watching time and civilizations pass for 2500 years!
Temple of Concordia
Statue depicting The Fall of Icarus - who flew too close to the sun
Visiting the temples in the late afternoon meant we could see them glowing in the golden sunlight, then capture their silhouettes in the sunset, and finally see them bathed in the light of the full moon... truly a spectacular sight to behold!
The Temple of Castor and Pollux
Temple of Concordia bathed in moonlight
The temples are illuminated in the evenings.
We stayed inside the archaeological Park at Villa la Lumia. It's every bit the wonderful Italian villa described in books and movies - plus surrounded by incredible history.
For dinner we stayed in the compound of our B&B to dine outdoors on the patio overlooking the temples - joined by 7 other guests. The local cuisine was prepared by the uncle all day in the outdoor kitchen. We felt like royal guests, enjoying worldly conversation, fine wine, and surreal surroundings.
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