While leaving the country home we can see Piazza Armerina:
We left Piazza Armerina and rode to a ruin with a fascinating history: Villa Romana del Casale. If I understood the history, the original owner collected animals that were used in the fights in the amphitheaters in Rome…. Was that the 4th century? I am unsure. Then fire and a 12th century landslide destroyed this huge property. Eight hundred years later, 20th century, it was excavated and it was discovered with more than a million Roman mosaics. It too is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Interesting how the floors have warped with the change in the substrate, and the mosaics still flowed with the “new” look after the landslide and restoration to allow us to see what we now see!
Off to a winery. WINE! I was looking forward to a visit to a winery! The Mortilla sisters, Valentina and Angela, inherited the business from their father who inherited it from his father: Tenute Senia Winery. I think Valentina said they were 7th generation. Our wine tasting and lunch was very good. Their grillo, a white wine, was light and flavorful; the red wine was from the frappato grape and a very light red wine, Some people also tried their Nero d’avelo. They produce olive oil too.
We finally arrive in Ragusa. The 1693 earthquake basically created 2 parts to the area. Wealthy people built a town up on the cliff and others in area below. It was truly 2 distinct towns until 1926 when they became one. We are at Itria Palace for a 3 night stay so we can explore this area of Sicily.
Extra note: Sicily has a three prong plug for the majority of electrical outlets, I come to discover! The typical European 2 prong plug will work if you can find an adapter. I have checked each room I have been in, and unplugged a refrigerator or hairdryer to get the adapter, yeah! Just need to return the piece before I check out!
