We went on a trip for a few days to visit the town of Requena in eastern Spain. It is located on the left bank of the river Magro. The town has a long history and at one time was used as a Moorish fortress. The moors occupied Spain for around 800 years, from 711 to 1492.
Part of the fortress in Requena Spain
Requena is dominated by the ancient citadel of the Moors, and still has traces of the original town walls.
Church front of Arciprestal Del Salvador in RequenaThe Iglesia Arciprestal del Salvador is Renaissance-style, Roman Catholic church. It was erected in the 15th century.
We walked and explored some of the streets of the older section of Requena.
One of the narrow streets in RequenaA narrow street in Requena
Another interesting fact about Requena is the existence of a labyrinth of caves located underneath the streets. Between the 12th and 13th centuries during the Muslim period, caves were excavated and used for storage and protection.
One of the gated and locked entrances into the labyrinth of caves under the old quarter of Requena.
There are 22 caves that can still be found in Requena today. Many homes in Requena’s old quarter have a cave as part of the house. Thanks to geology, it was possible to easily excavate the subsoil which was done by the moors.
Entrance into the Historic Murviedro bodega.
We had the opportunity to visit the Murviedro’s Historic Winery located in the old quarter of Requena.
Entering into the cave system under Requena
Through part of the tour we explored some of the ancient caves under the city.
Ancient containers used for wine storage
It was like going back in time and experiencing the sensation of a different era. The bodega kept some of the original wine containers and in the original condition.
Original clay cast for storage of olive oil or wine.
After exploring the caves of the winery we were able to enjoy a fantastic wine tasting of their different wines.
Overall It was a great experience and provided us with a snapshot of ancient times through the caves of Requena.
We finished our day by walking along the small alleys that led to the edge of the city, where we admired the stunning sunset.
A very enjoyable and memorable trip to Requena Spain.
It was Ray’s birthday and we decided to do something different and exciting. So we booked a full day tour to explore Mount Etna which is one of the world’s most active volcanoes and is in an almost constant state of activity. Mount Etna has been designated a Decade Volcano by the United Nations and was added to the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Our private tour began early in the morning and we meet with our guide Giuseppe who was very informative and an excellent guide.
Shelley, Ray and the our tour guide GiuseppeShelley and Ray on the south side of Mount Etna
We drove up the winding road through the ancient lava flows to the souvenir shop located part way up the south side of Mount Etna. We parked there and began hiking up from there.
The road through the lava fields leading to Mount Etna
Hiking up to the ancient crater was so surreal as the landscape felt like we were on another planet. Walking on the ancient lava was similar to walking on beach sand except with soft stones that crush under your feet.
Along the way we came to a large bolder approximately 1.5 meter high which was ejected from a previous eruption.
We would stop along the way up to catch our breath and to take in the panoramic views.
It was truly an amazing experience looking at the ancient and recent lava flows.
Ray on the way up to the Silvestri crater
At one of the stops as we catch our breath our Guide Giuseppe explained some interesting facts about Mount Etna and the plantation.
Giuseppe explaining some facts to Ray about Mount Etna
There is a local plant that grows only on the ancient lava flows.
This particular plant apparently can keep a person alive eating only this for quite a while. It contains many nutrients and water. So Ray of course had to try it.
We eventuallyreach the Silvestri crater of Mount Etna. The view was spectacular.
After exploring the crater area we headed back down to continue our adventure. Here is a quick overview of our time on Mount Etna.
Our next stop was at a lava cave. We put on helmets and entered the ancient lava tube passage which was made by ancient flowing lava.
Ray and Shelley at the mouth of the lava cave near Mount EtnaView from inside the lava caveOn our way out of the lava cave
The walls inside the lava cave was quite unique with features from the ancient flows of lava.
After exploring the cave we continued on our way to the Valley Del Bove. We arrived at a small parking area and Giuseppe took us along a narrow path that came to an amazing view of the valley.
Shelley and Ray overlooking the Valley del Bove
We had breathtaking panoramic view of this ancient and incredible valley.
Valley del Bove
After spending most of the day exploring Mount Etna we headed to a small town to try some local honey and wine. Then we were off to our next adventure. It was a great day and we highly recommend our guide Giuseppe.
Lava flow from Mount Etna- Photo taken by our guide Giuseppe
If anyone is interested in a tour he can be contacted by email giuseppelapila@gmail.com
“Possano le tue avventure avvicinarti, anche se ti portano lontano da casa.” — Trenton Lee Stewart
We spent a few days in the heart of the beautiful city of Catania. Our hotel was located beside the Piazza Duomo with a great view of the Basilica Cattedrale di Sant’Agata.
View of the Basilica from our hotel room window.View of the Basilica Cattedrale di Sant Agata from Piazza Duomo.
In the centre of the Piazza Duomo there is a fountain with a statue that is the symbol of Catania known as u Liotru. It is a small looking elephant located on the fountain.
The history of this elephant is believed to originate around 900 AD when Catania was part of the emirate of Sicily. In that time the city was known as the “the City of the Elephant”. It was believed that the elephant was a talisman that provided protection against enemies, both human, natural or geologic.
We saw several symbols of elephants while exploring the city.
One of the elephant symbols in Catania
There is a very popular place called Don Peppinu which apparently sells the best gelato in Sicily. There were people lined up outside the door waiting to buy a gelato, so of course we lined up and had to try the best gelato in Sicily.
People lined up for Gelato at Don Peppinu in Catania SicilyGelato in Don Peppinu
After our gelato we walked along the streets exploring some of the city before our next adventure to Mount Etna.
One of the many statues in CataniaRay at a donut store in CataniaFountain statues in CataniaFountain in CataniaOne of the many interesting restaurants in Catania
We enjoyed Catania, it was an interesting city with a rich history.
“A mio avviso, la più grande ricompensa e il lusso del viaggio è quello di poter vivere le cose di tutti i giorni come se fosse la prima volta, di essere in una posizione in cui quasi nulla è così familiare da essere dato per scontato”. – Bill Bryson
One of the unique and interesting historic buildings in Palermo was the Teatro Massimo Vittorio Emanuele. It is known as the opera house and is located on the Piazza Verdi in Palermo.
Teatro Massimo Vittorio Emanuele.
We decided to take a tour of the inside of the largest opera house in Italy. It is known for its perfect acoustics and was featured in the Francis Ford Coppola’s film The Godfather Part III (1990).
Entrance foyer area of the opera house.
The inside is quite ornate with many marble and unique features. The main theatre area is designed in a horseshoe style and has seating for up to 1381 people.
View of the main theatre area
It was built in 1897 and dedicated to King Victor Emanuel II. It is the biggest in Italy, and the third largest in Europe and also renowned for its perfect acoustics.
The inside lights and ceilings were unique and ornate.
We saw the stage area which had the system for the pop up sets for the opera.
View from the presidential box of the stage with the pop up sets for the opera
The opera house has some very ornate areas and it had a unique feel to it. The seats are very comfortable and covered in velvet. There was lots of leg room and it was said the architect who designed it was a tall man.
Orchestra seating are lower than the stage area of the opera house.The box seats and ceiling of the Palermo Opera houseThe presidential box with a perfect view of the stage.Curved walls within the opera house with some false doors along with doors to certain rooms.Shelley and Ray on the main floor of the opera house in Palermo, Sicily.
It was an interesting and well worth taking the time to explore this historic landmark of Palermo.
We went to the island of Sicily to explore some of the sites. We began in the capital city of Palermo. The city has many street markets and some of them are quite busy and large. Over the span of four days we explored several of the markets along with other sites of interest. There were street food and it was easy to enjoy local products.
We tried some hand made arancini which is a specialty here. They are small deep-fried rice balls filled with meat sauce or mozzarella and prosciutto. They are very tasty and over the time in Sicily we had several different types.
Shelley with an arancini rice ballDisplay in one of the food markets selling different arancini and other delicacies of Sicily
We explored the streets and walked through the markets looking at the variety of products. The atmosphere was full of life and unique smells of street foods.
View of one of the street markets in PalermoShelley and Ray in the historic Vucciria Market in Palermo
La Vucciria is a well-known historical market in Palermo. You could buy practically anything in the market from fresh fish, seafood and vegetables to assorted clothes.
Fresh swordfish and seafood in the marketPastries in one of the market stallsPastries and sweets
We went to the Quattro Canti, which is officially known as Piazza Vigliena. It is a Baroque square and considered the center of the historic quarters of the city. The four corners lead to the four ancient quarters of Palermo. Known as the cantons or canti of Palermo: the Kalsa (SE); Seralcadi (SW); Albergaria (wW); and Castellammare (NE). Each building facade was ornate and had a different fountain at the base.
View of the ornate facade of one of the Canti corners in Palermo
It was interesting to see and explore the four unique corners of the ancient intersection. There were street musicians playing music and the area was quite lively and full of people.
One of the four corners of the Canti in PalermoAnother of the unique corners of the Canti in Palermo
We explored the city and came across the Pretoria fountain with beautiful statues and fountain located near the church of San Cataldo.
Pretoria fountain and statues in front of the Chruch of San Cataldo in PalermoRay in front of the Pretoria fountain.Pretoria fountain and statues outside of the Church of San Cataldo
An other impressive statue was located in the Piazza San Domenico.
Statue and monument in Piazza San Domenico.
We saw the Teatro Massimo Vittorio Emanuele which is an opera house located on the Piazza Verdi.
Teatro Massimo Vittorio Emanuele in Palermo
This was an interesting and historic building and so we decided to take tour of the opera house. Link for Opera House
Another unique and interesting thing in Palermo and Sicily as a whole was the Sicilian Moor’s Heads. There are two stories about the origin of these elegant hand-painted ceramic decorative vases.
One of the many ceramic Moor vases for sale in Sicily.
The legend says that during the time of the Moor domination in Sicily, there lived a beautiful girl in the Arab quarter Kalsa which is in the heart of Palermo. She loved to take care of plants on her balcony. One day she was noticed by a Moor who fell in love with her. The man told her of his feelings and the two were overwhelmed by desire and love. When the girl found out that her lover would soon travel back to the East, where his wife and children were waiting for him, she became enraged.
Mad with jealousy, feeling humiliated by the betrayal, the girl killed the Moor while he was asleep. In a fit of incredible violence, she cut off his head and used it as a vase in which she planted a bud of basil. The girl watered the plant with her tears and, as time went by, the basil grew into the most luxuriant ever seen. This caused the envy of the girl’s neighbours, who immediately ordered ceramic vases with the same features as the Moor’s Head. That’s how the tradition is said to have started.
According to another story, the Moor’s Heads represent the impossible love of a young couple. The girl was Sicilian and had noble origins, while her lover was a young Arab. When their love affair was discovered, her family cruelly punished them both by beheading them.
Their heads were then turned into vases and hung as warnings on a balcony. This is why the ceramic heads are always made in pairs, in memory of the two young lovers who were murdered together.
There were some interesting and beautiful spots in Palermo but also some areas that were quite dirty and the infrastructure was neglected.
“”Prendi solo ricordi, lascia solo impronte.” — Chief Seattle
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