THE WORKMEN HAVE ARRIVED! ERACLEA MINOA
And they tell Steve after they finish each phase they will have to leave things to dry. So we will not have a floor that can hold the appliances, etc., till Saturday. Hey. at least it has stopped raining! But it rained like hell again last night and my capers did very well-no erosion whatsoever.
Yesterday after we heard from the muratori (wall and floor workers who will lay the floor), who promised they would be at our house bright and early the next morning, we decided to take a day trip. We felt like it would be a day of freedom after waiting for word from the workers that might not come for a time, since we had to be around while they worked. It was overcast but warm, no wind, almost 70 degrees. So we decided to explore some ruins of an old settlement in our area, and then head toward Eraclea Minoa. We had been there several years ago and it was not much to see then, but the scenery was great, overlooking one of the best beaches in the area.
The ride over was beautiful, and we were pleasantly surprised at how much they had done in such a short time. Nevertheless, a huge area remains unexplored. But drainage areas had been installed, walking paths were everywhere, and covers put over the theater and the houses. We saw much more this time, as we knew what to look for. Italian ruins are notoriously lacking in explanations of what you are looking at, so we usually piece things together and then go out and read a guide book. The Touring Club of Italy calls it an ancient settlement, one of the loveliest and most interesting archeological sites in all of Sicily. It also describes the findings of the different cultures that have lived here, dating back to Neolithic remains. The name of the place is familiar to Greek fans because of the Cretan King Minos/Daedalus/labyrinth connection, and Eraclea after the time of it being a Spartan colony with the Greek name for their hero Hercules.
Anyway-what a setting! The vantage point from the World War 2 bunker at the top of the hill overlooking the site is spectacular. The rock cliffs are made of marl, soft clay/limestone molded by the wind and erosion. The beach is just lovely, and we have swam there with locals who wanted to show us where the sweet water (non-salty) enters the sea from the river Platani. Unfortunately, the sandstone theater is very easily worn away, and it has been covered a little late. It is in an advanced state of erosion. The flowers were just starting to put on their spring display, and it was fun spotting bright red poppies here and there.
Yesterday after we heard from the muratori (wall and floor workers who will lay the floor), who promised they would be at our house bright and early the next morning, we decided to take a day trip. We felt like it would be a day of freedom after waiting for word from the workers that might not come for a time, since we had to be around while they worked. It was overcast but warm, no wind, almost 70 degrees. So we decided to explore some ruins of an old settlement in our area, and then head toward Eraclea Minoa. We had been there several years ago and it was not much to see then, but the scenery was great, overlooking one of the best beaches in the area.
The ride over was beautiful, and we were pleasantly surprised at how much they had done in such a short time. Nevertheless, a huge area remains unexplored. But drainage areas had been installed, walking paths were everywhere, and covers put over the theater and the houses. We saw much more this time, as we knew what to look for. Italian ruins are notoriously lacking in explanations of what you are looking at, so we usually piece things together and then go out and read a guide book. The Touring Club of Italy calls it an ancient settlement, one of the loveliest and most interesting archeological sites in all of Sicily. It also describes the findings of the different cultures that have lived here, dating back to Neolithic remains. The name of the place is familiar to Greek fans because of the Cretan King Minos/Daedalus/labyrinth connection, and Eraclea after the time of it being a Spartan colony with the Greek name for their hero Hercules.
Anyway-what a setting! The vantage point from the World War 2 bunker at the top of the hill overlooking the site is spectacular. The rock cliffs are made of marl, soft clay/limestone molded by the wind and erosion. The beach is just lovely, and we have swam there with locals who wanted to show us where the sweet water (non-salty) enters the sea from the river Platani. Unfortunately, the sandstone theater is very easily worn away, and it has been covered a little late. It is in an advanced state of erosion. The flowers were just starting to put on their spring display, and it was fun spotting bright red poppies here and there.
posted by Sicilian Mama at 4:30 AM
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