Virtual: The Castles of Sicily

Nineteen, in all. Sicily is (or was...in some cases) filled with them.

So let's explore!

Beginning with (1.) Castello di Agrigento

Built in 1087, it was mostly destroyed in 1900 and is abandoned now. What little remains sits atop a tall hill and overlooks Agrigento. It was built just after the defeat of the Arabs and was used primarily as defense and as a repository for the cities antiquities.

No video is available.

(2.) Castello di Barrugeri

A Sicilian Castle built in 1295 and since completely destroyed.Nothing remains and the area on which it stood is now flat farmland.

No video available.
 
 (3.) Castello di Bifar

Built in the 11th Century...then captured by the Normans in 1086. There are no remains  and this castle is known only by writings. It was destroyed in the Earthquake of 1693 and nothing remains.

Eventually there are CASTLES on this tour....right??

 (...channelling my inner Ian from Jurassic Park...)

(4.) Castello di Bivona

Yay...A Castle!  Sorta...kinda...almost.

Built in the 14th Century the castle was sacked in 1529. Abandoned but there are ruins remaining. Yay ruins...

 Tour by Air

https://youtu.be/srPJyS5AOTI

(5.) Castello di Caccamo 

 Okay...this is more like it!

Castle Caccamo is one of the largest and most well preserved Norman Castles outside of Palermo, Sicily. It rises 521 metres on a large cliff overlooking Caccamo,Sicily. Built in the 12th Century over the remains of an Arab Settlement...modified and added onto both in the 14th and 17th Centuries.

Today the castle is owned by Sicily and restored. Open to the public. There is a restaurant  within and also used for conferences and meetings.

A Beautiful Tour of Caccamo

https://youtu.be/vtaOYyBuxkU

(6.) Castellazzo di Camastra

A 14th Century Castle that also remains in ruins.

 No video footage available

(7.) Donnafugata Castle

Although the Origins of Donafugata can be traced back to the 14th Century...most of it was renovated in the early 19th century. More recently the Palace was left to ruins and scheduled to be removed. No telling if this actually occurred. Much like the Messina Bridge

" eh...who knows???"

 The Donafugata

The name roughly translates to
The Woman Who Fled

and this was the setting for Il Leopardo.

The Donafugata in happier times

and inside

This Video Tour was shot 8 years ago.

https://youtu.be/jrw3l6tC-_Y


(addendum:  Did find out that instead of the wrecking ball...the Palace underwent complete restoration and is returned to its former splendor!  An aside...the writer's Lampedusa Palazzo...unfortunately, did not...and is lost forever.

                                      Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa
                                             Author of Il Leopardo



(8.) Castello di Lombardia 

Erected in the 1st Millennium BC  the Sicani it sits on a hillside 970 metres above sea level. Conquered by The Romans who had to pass through its sewer networks in order to do so. Beneath the Castle the Temple of Ceres who was a widespread goddess throughout Italy at the time.

Conqured by The Romans, The Arabs, The Normans...then used as a gathering place for theater and operas...it is now open to the public.

And I am assuming you no longer have to go through the cavernous sewer system to access it. 

Tour

https://youtu.be/VJ5qxYylhXI

https://youtu.be/8zXVDQzy6aY 

(9.)  Castello Maniace

Maniace is located in Syrause,Sicily at the tip of Ortygia Island.

Built in 1232...from the 1300-1500s used for the Queens of Sicily...then converted to a Prison in the 15th Century and later an Armory. Both a castle and a citadel is is now primarily a tourist attraction and open to the public.

Tour

https://youtu.be/SvT-cz7Llao

(10.) Mategriffon

No photo avaiable

Mategriffon was a wooden castle built in Sicily by Richard the 1st of England in 1191 at Messina.  It is listed as a destroyed landmark in Sicily.
Ya think?

No video available

(...and WHO the hell builds a castle out of wood, anyway????)

(11.)  Castello di Milazzo

A Castle and Citadel in Milazzo Sicily.

Used by the Greeks as an Acropolis...enlarged into a castrum by the Romans...a castle by the Arabs...and enlarged and modified into Medieval times. It is now a popular tourist attraction and open to the public.

Tour

https://youtu.be/01EwVyAR4L8

(12.)  Castello Normanno- Aci

Also known as Castello di Aci located in Catania, Sicily.

Built in 1076 by The Normans. The town of Aci sprung up around the castle. It is used now as a museum. 

Tour from air by drone

https://youtu.be/LdorPNLSzVI

and from land (inside)

https://youtu.be/cfmEpuzB79g

(13.) Castello Normanno.Paterno

Built in 1072 to thwart Islamic raids it later housed kings and queens.
It was owned by a single family until the 1400's then used as a jail...and eventually fell into disrepair until the 19th Century when it was restored.

Now open to tourists.

Tour

https://youtu.be/jNUF54jApuw

(14.)  Castello della Pietra d'Amico

Another castle which has fallen through the years. This one leaving only the rock it was built on.

Which I found kind of neat. 

Although all that remains are staircases and bits of walls...the site is open tothe public.

A rock..okay...I just want a rock.

No video available


(15.) Castello di Schiso

Originally constructed in the 13th century...rennovation was done in the 14th,16th and 19th centuries. The fortress was used as a means of protection against pirate attacks and also had a sugar cane mill inside to process the local crop. The castle is privately owned today by the Palidino family and not open to the public. 

Although there is no drone footage of Schiso Castle available...I felt compelled to share this video...which is of a castle for sale in the area...lol

Castle for Sale

https://youtu.be/cFXVutD9n5A

"Yeah Bob, that's right...bought a freaking castle in Sicily...I'm staying."

(16) Castello di Terra

 Built in 1186...now partially restored...and FOR SALE...Castello di Terra is probably known in realestatese as your "Great Little Fixer-Upper"

Direct quote: Today only the Northwest face of the castle is still standing intact.

I'll pass...

Yeah...I get a lot of mileage out of this lady.

 (17.) Castello Ursino  (Bear Castle)

Built in the 13th Century,Ursino was the Royal Castle of Sicily, and eventually became the Seat of the Sicilian Parliament. 

Today it is is excellent condition and is open to the public as a museum.

Tour Drone exterior

https://youtu.be/QU89JLHFW98

Inside

https://youtu.be/iYDSWt_srAE

(18.)  Castello di Villagonia

Razed in 1913...no photo...no video.

I guess when the Sicilians want you gone...you are gone.

(19.) The Ziza,Palermo

The last castle on our Virtual Adventure.

Built in the 12th Century by Arabian Craftsmen for King William the First of Sicily.The style is Moorish. The name from al-Aziza meaning Splendid or Dearest.

In 2015 it was named a World Heritage Site.

Tour

https://youtu.be/YZMBSsl5vvw

Truly an amazing place.

So there you have it. Some of the better known castles of Sicily.

On Monday we will check out Trapani and the (sea) salt beds.

More anon...

Virtual Enna, Sicily

Enna is called umbilicus Siciliae...the navel of Sicily,and its ancient name used to be Henna. It is located in the very center of the island nearly equidistant from all three corners. Placed on the level top of a gigantic hill it overlooks Sicily like a proud ruler.

Like the rest of the island it is a rocky hard-scrabble place that attests to the changes and battles that have occurred through the centuries.

Tour of Enna

 https://youtu.be/43UMPbSoQQ8

Additional (in Sicilian)

https://youtu.be/yf2GGLB2Zvw

The Myth of Persephone being carried off by Pluto to the Underworld was set here in Enna.  The place this supposedly happened is a small lake called Pergus...and a field of wildflowers. Nearby a grotto is where Pluto is said to have appeared.

                                          A depiction of the abduction.


Lombardy Castle is also located in Enna.

 

 Although we will wait until next time and our Tour or Castles of Sicily to explore it!

Until then...
 

Zen Weekend...Hurricane Irma...and More

As GPS would say

"Re-Calculating"

and Idgy and I will be staying in-the-box a bit longer it seems.

~sigh~

I'm resting this weekend after finally recovering from that kidney infection...bleah.  Still fairly wiped out.

She is fighting some particularly nasty GI bug.

Such is life.

Today a fairly Zen Sunday. Slept in. Good Breakfast.Feeling much better (just weak at this point)  Tidied the plants a bit and started layering the compost box for over the winter. Cut all the herbs...now dried and sitting in a colander to sort, strip and jar (right now home smells like a misma of oregano, basil, thyme, sage and rosemary) a good nap...a long soak in a bubble bath...reading a bit...contemplating what Sunday dinner will be...finding a film for later tonight...and , of course, catching up with friends and family who have evacuated or in a couple of cases...not evacuated) Hurricane Irma.

Hurricane Irma. Has anything caused so much chaos or uncertainty over a week.

Jill and I have been maintaining close contact with Lennon, who evacuated early Thursday Morning, swooping up his grandmother and (his words)

"Getting the HELL out of Dodge"

They spent the first night in Perry, Georgia...but are staying in the Carolinas until everything passes.

I had to laugh we he mentioned Perry.

It was a "George Washington Slept Here" Moment.

Seriously...you know you have travelled too much when someone mentions an obscure town on the map and you find yourself thinking (or saying)

"Hey...I spent the night there once."

Reminded me of a phone call I got once from my (late) husband-person.

"Hey honey,  when did you have a flat in Gallatin (Illinois) ?"

When we got to the crux of the matter he had stopped for a repair in Gallatin and I was in the repair shop's data-base...lol!

It happens.

Irma..right on the heels of Harvey has been a disaster.

Hitting Barbuda as a CAT 5 and leaving the island nearly uninhabitable and nearly 2,000 people homeless.

Through the islands of the Caribbean vacillating between a 4 and a 5...weakening and hitting Puerto Rico as a 4 and then strengthening back to a 5 as it grazed Cuba...weakening to a 3 and then regaining steam over the Strait to hit Key West as a 4.  A slight jog in the projected path moved the bulk of the threat from the East Coast of Florida to The West Coast...where many residents had taken shelter...from the East.  Local shelters hastily opened and appearing in the hundreds...then thousands pouring into them with bedrolls, possessions and pets.  Killing 20-something in its path already.

It has been a stressful week.

But most all my friends and family safely out of harm's way...and the two that refused to evacuate...so far very lucky...and just without power. 

Yeah...kind of like this.

Had to shake my head when they both kept exclaiming how

"This was the most dangerous hurricane to hit Florida...EVER"

to me...but then followed that sentiment with the fact they were not going to evacuate and added

"...say a little prayer for us..."

Seriously? 

Because I think my "little prayer" would have to be something along these lines

"Please let these fools see how dangerous it is to NOT evacuate...and get them to go to a local shelter...immediately."

~sigh~

Just Saying.

Was reading Stephen King's newest tome The Bazaar of Bad Dreams this morning and ran across this paragraph in one of the short stories that summed it all up perfectly

...they talk about the grace of God and how everything happens for a reason. God's grace is a pretty cool concept. It stays intact every time it is not you...

Looking forward to seeing the remake of IT soon. And did a re-watch of the original the other night. May have to do a re-read. It has been nearly 30 years.

And saw The Hitman’s Bodyguard with Ryan Reynolds and Samuel Jackson
this week.
Absolutely brilliant comedy.
Well worth your time!

Best line of the film

Reynolds:  I am suppose to go through the door first...to keep you out of harms way.


Jackson: Motherf---ker, I  AM Harm's Way.

More anon....

Virtual Arigento

Athough, Arigento (proper) looks more like this

 A Southern Sicilian city of 59,000.


This is the Arigento I have come to see.

                                           Temple of Concordia

The Valley of the Temples.

Not actually a valley at all, but instead a ridge that is home to statuary, ancient olive trees and Greek Doric-Style Temples.

Most of the temples,toppled by earthquakes through the centuries, are little more than a few columns and rubble. Their stone carted away to build other (newer) structures. Only two remain more or less intact over the many hundred years.

The Temple of Zeus reduced to little more than stairs,now.

 Valley of Temple Tour

https://youtu.be/UswjHNEfZ3Q

Aerial Footage of the Valley of Temples

https://youtu.be/LEvDZA4Cr8Q

And tour of Arigento

https://youtu.be/yH07cYdd7nM

Statues of the Valley of the Temples

This one outside the ruins of the Temple of Zeus. 
(perhaps Zeus is napping)

Ruins of the Temple of Juno.

And outside the Temple of Concordia

And probably, what I came to see in the first place, those wonderful ancient olive trees.

Hauntingly beautiful, to me. 

Working tonight on my Ancient Grove Painting. Adding the Foreground Tree based on this...

It will going the middle front of my grove and relegate the existing smaller trees to a distant background...

Imagine it in front of these...much larger (closer) filling the scene. Giving depth.

Well,that is the theory...anyway!

More anon...

September...Game of Thrones Season Finale...Houston (...we have a problem...)

Went to bed last night...still Summer.

Woke to the smell of wood-smoke, and a Fall chill in the air. Sweater weather...and I LOVE it!

N.P. Beach now closed until next season. Ready for Cider and Caramel Apples and Pumpkin Patches!  Ready to bake something...anything...as long as there is Cinnamon involved.

Even the trees seem to be ready with yellows and orange that seemed to show up overnight!

Last Sunday was our final episode of Game of Thrones for Season 7, and now we wait...and wait...and wait...

~sigh~

But it was amazing!

From the opening scene with ALL the Unsullied and Dothraki assembled in Westeros...and Bronn & Jamie's conclusion

"Maybe it is all about cocks..."

The reunion of Podrick, Tyrion and Bronn of Blackwater Battle Fame

Brienne of Tarth and Sandor Clegane exchanging what appeared to be  "Proud Parent Smiles and Glances" over their little assassin all grown up- Ayra.

A quick peek at the future Clegane-Bowl with a reflective moment between brothers.

"You know who's coming for you, Brother. You've always known."

The best "fashionably late" entrance by Dany...EVER. Loved the dust up and dragon screaming.

Several hold-your-breath scenes:

Why won't the Undead come out of the box? Oh...there it is!

( ...and did anyone else catch the look on Qyburn's face when he picked up the severed arm of  the Undead?  Creepy.)

Is The Mountain going to be ordered to kill Tyrion? No...wait...wait...

Has The Mountain been ordered to KILL Jamie?  (...Cersi, you heartless bitch...) 
No wait...changed my mind again...just bluffing.

Will The Mountain EVER be allowed to kill anyone...he has to be getting twitchy by now...after all these false starts.

Cersi who has cast her lot with Euron Greyjoy...and Jamie...last seen riding away...still alive but very disgruntled, from Westeros. He seems to be getting more and  more irritated by Cersi these days. And who could  blame him?  Next season maybe he can add "Queen-Slayer" to his title.

 Just saying.

Is Cersi really pregnant?


Does anyone give a damn?


Theon who found his balls...even if they are gone...on a great beach fight scene...where having none seems to have been the advantage. Taking what is left of Yara's troops to SAVE her (still a captive of Uncle Euron)

And a touching moment between Jon and Theon, just before.

Jon...good, honest-to-a-fault, Jon...who has now bent...well...a LOT more than the knee to his Queen. She probably did some kneeling before the night was through, too.   

Face it...seriously...even straight guys were looking at the Jon from the backside  saying

"Now THAT'S a fabulous ass."

Poor Jorah...who is forever STUCK in The FriendZone.

Lord Balish who has sneered his last sneer...compliments of Sansa and Ayra. I actually cheered when he was executed. It is about time. Deliciously set up I might add.

Samwell Tarly and family who have finally made it to Winterfell.

"Oooooh" 
"I'm not quite sure what that means?" (best line of the night)


Bran who is determine to tell Jon who he really is ( birthname: Aegon Targaryen)...and presumably that he has now committed incest with his Aunt Dany.

 "I am the three eyed raven now, Jon...oh and the two of you looked beautiful the other night...but she is your Aunt, you know.  Oh,you didn't?  My bad."

Beric and Tormund who were last seen fleeing the crumbling Wall...and we still do not know whether they made it or not.

And The Night King (with his new ride...the Undead Dragon whose blue breath has toppled a great bit of the Wall)...and our final scene until November 2018 is that of the Armies of the Dead (...thousands of them...) marching through the newly opened breach in The Wall.

Now a more personal bit for everyone who viewed the bedroom scene between Jon and Dany and went

"Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeew...she is his Aunt."


OMFG people...we have just finished Seven Seasons.

There has been twin on twin incest...multiple beheadings...a child pushed out a window...infanticide...multiple adultery... multiple poisonings...multiple stabbings...girl on girl...boy on boy...threesomes...people eaten by dogs...skulls crushed...a little girl burned at the stake...hangings...freezing to death...rapes including the raping of a nun for god-sake...zombifying...slitting of throats...cannibalism (More pie, Mr.Frey?) plotting, lying, revenge, crucifixion, flayings, sadomasochism, patricide, witchcraft, white walkers and the undead, resurrection, and probably a lot more that I have left out/forgotten...

But Jon's lovemaking with Dany (...who he STILL doesn't know he is any relation to...) makes you go

"Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeew"

Seriously???

Right, then.  Turn off your telly.  
Your telly privileges have been revoked.

And

I have also been closely following the merchandising...which has been brilliant by-the-way.

Remember that hand-holding scene bedside in Episode 6...where Dany pulled away first...but not so quickly that you didn't get a good long look at the latest, greatest bit of dragon jewellery...her dragon ring.

Now available on eBay and Etsy..lol!

But it hasn't all been swordsmen, cocks, and flying dragons this week... 

Texas...particularly Houston and Beaumont has been devastated by Hurricane Harvey.

  

                                                   Before and After

The humanitarian response has been incredible. Reaching the end of the week realizing once again there are more "good" "helpful" "caring" people out there than we sometimes admit while lamenting

"The World is Going to Hell in a Hand-basket"

Human chains formed to rescue people trapped in swept away vehicles...strangers opening their homes and wallets and refrigerators to strangers...fleets of small boats navigating rushing waters to rescue thousands...Federal and State and Local officials working side by side to rescue people and ease the suffering. A beer company who stopped canning beer and started canning water to donate to the flooded areas.

Reaffirming what I have always believed...most people are basically good, kind and compassionate given the chance.  

They really are.

And there is this photo that emerged to make us smile

"Save yourselves...I've got the dog-food."

This cat that James re-posted

and a meme sent by a Texas friend this week

So...no political rants this week...just unbelievably thankful for all the good people that have stood together shoulder to shoulder for others in the last seven days...oh and the arrival of an early Fall...and maybe these...

More anon...