So here we are sipping a lovely Sicilian red wine on the patio of our B&B. This is our second night in Agrigento. The two previous nights we were in Siracusa in yet another room with a sea view. Getting pretty spoiled here!
In Taormina we were introduced to Greek history but now, after the museum in Syracusa, I'm beginning to understand it all.
Seems like the Sicilians were going about their business just farming, fishing and having a happy existance. Then came the Corinthians who thought this looked like a good place to make their base. Siracusa rivaled Athens for "king" of the sea which made the Athenians mad. They sent out a huge force to fight for the right to rule but it didn't work so they went home with their tails between their legs.
The Sicilians went about their business and everyone was pretty happy until 211BC when it fell to Rome.. They were a mighty people influenced by Mediterranean cultures. Though their army was strong they maintained a love of the arts.
In Siracusa the Greek theatre still remains fairly well intact as the seats were carved out of the rock hillside. After 2500 years you could still hold a play here without too many people tripping on the rocks.
Above and behind the theatre is the street of tombs. Location, location, don't ask me why! Guess you can continue to be entertained in the afterlife! Shane figures they must have paid big bucks for the box seats!
The city of Siracusa today is small compared to it's historic counterpart. Still too big and crowded for me! Glad we stayed in Ortygia Island. It is less crazy and very quaint.
From Siracusa we drove west towards Agrigento. During the day, at some point for sure, we drove past the place where my father-in-law landed years ago during WW II. The Canadians landed on the beaches and made their way north (west of Etna) before crossing to the Boot of Italy. High winds bring sand from Africa caused huge waves to crash on the sandy beaches and rock bluffs. The landscape gently rolls inland. Bunkers still stand in strategic locations though I can't explain the three that stand next to a water slide!?? Derelict buildings that no one bothered to repair make quite a statement next to rows of abandoned factories. Seems that the only thing working in this area are waterfront resorts, olive trees, vineyards and windmills.
In Agregento we come across the most amazing site.   Greek temples stand out on the hillside. Templs that at one time were devoted to Greek gods then prayed over and sprinkled on and newly devoted to the Christian faith. Again...location, location, location. Overlooking the sea they command respect and attention. Just, again, sitting your butt down where the ancient peoples sat theirs...does it get any better than that?
Today, our last day here, we went north to view the mosaics of Villa Roma Di Casale. It seems an African slave made the 3500 sq feet of mosaic flooring. He or she was very talented. The mosaics survived because they were covered in a mud slide hundreds of years ago. They were covered in a mud slide because they chose a rediculous place to build a mansion. Anyway, it was beautiful to see. I very much appreciated the shading and colouration of the mosaics. Very beautifully done.
Tomorrow we head west again... not sure where we will end up. Love that about life?!