Nunzia was right! She said we needed to arrive at Villa Romana del Casale when they opened. She purchased the first tickets for our group. Anytime we entered a government run attraction we had to show our green pass "vaccination card for US" and a copy of our passport. We had to wear a mask when we showed our card and passport. If we were inside we were suppose to wear a mask.
This hunting lodge for the wealthy was constructed in the fourth century AD. There was a huge landslide in the 12th century. It wasn't until the 20th century that excavations revealed the lodge. This villa is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After we met our local guide, we began our 2 hour tour of the site.
This huge area was the baths.
Theses mosaics are beautiful. I've never seen anything like this even in Pompeii or Ephesus, Turkey.
The entire villa is surrounded by a walkway above the rooms. I know now, why Nunzia wanted to beat the crowds.
I can't possibly tell you how large this villa was. Of course, the guide told us the stories of what the mosaics depict.
Each room we saw was more spectacular than the one before.
You were allowed to walk on the mosaics outside. Imagine walking on something from the 4th century!
After leaving the Villa we had a short ride to Mortilla Winery. This is where we had a wine tasting along with lunch. After lunch we had some time to walk through the fields. The grapes were ripe and they were picking them.
Our next stop was in Ragusa where we stayed for three nights. We have a beautiful room with a balcony. You enter the hotel on O floor and we are on the fifth floor. The fifth floor is where you leave to walk to the town square.
Nunzia had an orientation walk, to show us places we might want to see.
Turtle Safely.........
It's just amazing to me that someone sat there, probably on their knees, doing those mosaics for days upon days, then spent just as much time filling in with grout. Such handiwork!!
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