Sunday, October 31, 2021

October 30 - Erice

 Today we are visiting the twin towns of Erice and Trapani.  The mountain town of Erice was settled first, Trapani was developed later as the port for Erice.  Eventually Trapani succeeded on its own and left Erice back in the Medieval times.  You can drive up to Erice or take the cable car from Trapani - we chose to do the later.


         The cable cars go very slowly around this semi-circle - so it is easy to get on and off.








                            A view of the cows half way up the mountain munching on grass.



                                                            Entering the gate into Erice.

                                       Views from the top of the mountain to farmland below.


                                                A view of the salt marshes below in Trapani.

                                           And what is an Italian city without a Gelato shop? 



                                                              A reflection of Michael.

        The streets in Erice are very steep and narrow.  This street was lined with restaurants.

Most of the pictures and designs on the walls were of Christian influence.  I am not sure about this one, but I liked it.

                   There were 3 cases like this one, filled with goodies at the Pasticceria Maria.


                                                    Another Quaint sign for a restaurant.

There are some of these ceramic heads in our rental.  Not sure what the significance is - but they are all over.



                                        More of the ceramic heads on top of a restaurant wall.


                                                 One of the more famous piazza's in Erice.  


We were trying to find the castle and took many a wrong turn.  Some of them were delightful!




                                                                 I think this is a church.

                                                  Another church - this time near the castle.

                          The views near the castle were exactly as advertised - wonderful!




                The castle.  I am not sure what the buildings below are - but they are a lot newer.







                                        A view of the church taken from around the castle.

We decided not to find the entrance and go into the castle.  It was already around 1pm and we needed to go down the cable car and then drive to the coastline of Trapani to have lunch.  But there were still views on the way back - all downhill this time.









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