Hybla, Ragusa old town, Sicily Roadtrip

On our way to Modica we stopped int the old town of ancient Ragusa. Hybla is a town perched on a high cliff with all houses huddled together in the typical building style of many southern, ancient towns. It was soooo unbelievably hot and we dragged ourselves up main street to the giant church, nourished our parched throats with cool ice cream and after a short stroll throught the city park we set off again. It was scorching... eh.. notice the lack of people in all the shots! Obviously we were the only ones crazy enough to go traipsing around in the middle of the day...

Ohhh the cheeses and salumis in the region are out of this world! Sadly the salumeria was closed when we passed by...

Beautifully restored baroque balconies!

The view looking up and then down... don't know which picture is more interesting???

Loved the shadows!

This garden with several churches and fountains was just an oasis of loveliness amidst all the dry, hot surroundings!




O.K... we thought we would have to cross this gigantic bridge! Since we were traveling sans a navigation system, we relied on the directional signs by the roadside - and thank goodness they spared us the traversing and the sweaty palms, which we would have surely endured... Carlo and I are both NOT fond of heights!

Ancient ruins and ampitheather near Palazzo Acreide, Sicily

Near the city were extensive ruins from an ancient greek ampitheater and caves used by the greeks. The ampitheater was perfectly placed with Mt. Etna looming smack dab in the middle of the spot where the stage must have been...

Very cool underground water and grain storage spaces and maybe even sleeping quarters. It was like having a/c in there!

Ancient rock carvings with holes possibly for lights or storage...

All the green grass was a visible testament to a very wet spring, which brought more than average rainfall all over Sicily.

Lizard peeking over the wall!


It was amazing to see anything still blooming in this dry climate!
The poppies were hanging on for dear life...

One last picture and we were on our way to Modica...

Palazzo Acreide, Sicily Roadtrip

On our roadtrip to the baroque cities of southern Sicily and southern tip of the island, we stopped in a number of little towns that were bursting with history and charm.
At high noon we stopped in Palazzo Acreide and visited a few churches and marveled at the old, rustic balconies in the little streets...

Proud moment: My husband asking for directions! :-)

The main church was magnificent inside and out....


There were at least 4 chandeliers just like this one on each side of the nave... beautifully crafted glass!

High noon: Carlo talking to little old man in town square...

(left side of frame)...I love this shot!

Siesta time....

The peach granita we had in the little bar with the white awning was scrumptious and soooo refreshing!

We came across an ancient linen shop, which seemed to not have changed in at least 100 years. It was filled to the painted ceiling with linens, tablecloths, aprons, napkins, etc. The owner actually waved us inside and showed us proudly the original artwork on the ceiling.



One more beautifully restored church and a row of lovely colored houses.
The purple one being part of the local museum.


And we were off to the next town...

Snapshots, Sicily

I couldn't help but post some of these snapshots from our roadtrip...

The best is the Fiat perched lopsided on the back of the truck!!!

Interior of Sicily in late July: HOT, HOT, HOT

Hay bales, barren fields and olive trees... for hours at end... :)

Accident waiting to happen.... OMG!!

Gotta love those melons!

Siracusa: Swordfish, tuna, sardines, shrimp, sepia... it's all there!

Siracusa: The variety and quality of the veggies you can't beat!

Siracusa: I really wished I could have set this little guy free...

Marzamemi: Dinner guest at outdoor restaurant in town square.
She liked the bread we inadvertently "dropped" while eating.

Future dinner at fish restaurant in Messina... (not ours though!)

Poor little guy...

Noto...

More of Noto!

Shadow games in front of the church!