Dr. Weil in Italy and Sicily
Taken from the hilltop castle Castelmola along the coast. In the background is Mt. Etna, an active volcano.
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This photo was taken from Sicily’s Castlemola, a fortified castle built by the Normans as a defensive post. It offers a wonderful view of Taormina and the bay of Giardini Naxos and is framed by the mysterious and beautiful active volcano, Mt. Etna.
My daughter and I take a break for a photo-op while out seeing the countryside.
Roman Amphitheater of Syracuse. Built in 21 BC, this might be the first amphitheater ever built. We almost missed this amazing ruin as the main crowd was headed to the much older, and famous Greek Theater (Teatro Greco) built in the Fifth Century B.C.
This Roman design is much different than the Greek theater - notice the square pit in the center (called a naumachia)…it housed crocodiles that feasted upon the corpses of defeated gladiators.
The Trevi Fountain is the largest Baroque fountain in the city of Rome and one of the most famous fountains in the world. The original fountain was built in 19BC as a way to offer fresh water to the city dwellers. It received a makeover in 1629 by Pope Urban VIII - many special design features are attributed to the famous artist Bernini.
A traditional legend holds that if you throw a coin into the fountain, you are ensured a return trip to Rome…I should know, it worked for me.trevi fountainromeroman architectureroman fountainfountainold fountain
My daughter Diana and I tossing coins into the fountain dedicated to the Roman goddess Diana. According to Roman mythology, Diana was the goddess of the hunt, the moon, and birthing. Who wouldn't want to throw a coin into a fountain honoring a goddess that shares your - or your daughter’s - name?
![The Pantheon, meaning, " To Every God", was rebuilt by the Emperor Hadrian in about 126 AD. Originally commissioned by Marcus Agrippa, the Pantheon was originally used as a temple to the ancient gods of Rome. It is one of the best-preserved ancient buildings in Rome, and it has been in continuous use since the 7th century.<br />
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The inscription across the façade says M·AGRIPPA·L·F·COS·TERTIVM·FECIT (or in full, "M[arcus] Agrippa L[ucii] f[ilius] co[n] s[ul] tertium fecit,") which translates to "Marcus Agrippa, son of Lucius, made this building when consul for the third time."](https://photos.smugmug.com/DrWeilTravel/Dr-Weil-in-Italy/i-JPmRghg/0/0f4e4624/L/pantheon-L.jpg)
The Pantheon, meaning, " To Every God", was rebuilt by the Emperor Hadrian in about 126 AD. Originally commissioned by Marcus Agrippa, the Pantheon was originally used as a temple to the ancient gods of Rome. It is one of the best-preserved ancient buildings in Rome, and it has been in continuous use since the 7th century.
The inscription across the façade says M·AGRIPPA·L·F·COS·TERTIVM·FECIT (or in full, "M[arcus] Agrippa L[ucii] f[ilius] co[n] s[ul] tertium fecit,") which translates to "Marcus Agrippa, son of Lucius, made this building when consul for the third time."romepantheonromanroman historyroman mythologyitalyrome italyrome architectureroman architecture
These beautiful baby artichokes (carciofino in Italian) are but a small sampling of the large variety of fresh fruits, vegetables, olives, cheeses, wines that can be had at just about any piazza in Rome. These are from our favorite in Campo de' Fiori - located in the city center.
Piazzas are city squares where local residents shop, eat, relax, and best of all, people watch. In the evening these squares are brimming with local artists and musical acts. It's great to enjoy some after dinner gelato while watching live performances.
The weather was perfect for a leisurely walk around the ancient hilltop village of Taormina. Located on the east coast of the Island of Sicily, it was first inhabited by the Siculi, even before the Greeks, in 734 BC.
On top of the active volcano island named Vulcano. The Roman name for the island contributed the word for volcano to English and other modern European languages. The Romans used the island for harvesting wood and mining alum and sulfur.
Laghetto di Fanghi is a celebrated "mud bath" on the island of Vulcano near the coast. Bathers cover themselves in mud (reputed to have therapeutic powers) and then go into the spring-warmed sea to wash off. This was a great treat right after we hiked down from the live volcano.
Vulcano is a great little island, but it smells like rotten eggs.
Another shot from atop the island Vulcano with the Mediterranean in the background. Also in the background you see the Island of Lipari (left), and in the far distance is the other very active volcano called Stromboli (right).
Taking a break after doing some hiking. It was a very chilly morning!
These massive blocks were cut from a quarry and moved to where they are now rest, no small feat by any means!
Resting by an olive tree. Some olive trees in the area are well over 100 years old with some trees dating to over 2,000 years ago.
This is the Temple of Juno which was built around 450 B.C.
This is the Temple of Concordia located in the Valle dei Templi on the island of Sicily. Dating back to the 5th Century BC, it is a magnificent piece of architecture.
