Catania Again

I got another chance to visit Catania, Italy and decided to visit some sites I had not been able to visit before.

The Greek Theatre
First I visited the Greek Amphitheater in downtown Catania.  For a cultural relic, it was surprisingly hard to find.  Although it was along one of the main roads in the city, it didn't have much of a sign and the entrance was only as wide as a small storefront.  Once you walked into the entrance, the vista opened and you could see the ruins opening up before you.

The Greek Ruins in the middle of Catania.

Over the years the Catanians had built into the amphitheater, the restoration had meant that most of the newer buildings were torn down, but at one point in the museum, you walked directly from ancient Greek ruins into an 18th century Italian apartment.

San Nicoló
Next I went to the abandoned Church of San Nicolo.  Tricia and I had visited there before, but this time the church was opening for visiting.

San Nicolo

The church was fascinating on the inside.  It was soaring with white marble and simple, but elegant design.  Restoration was underway when I was there, but besides the cupola, you could see most of the church.  One of the coolest things in the church was the marble designs running through the middle of the floor.

Apparently, the church was part of one of the largest and wealthiest monasteries in Europe.  The monks were known for the generosity among the community as well as their ostentatious ways.  At one time, the monastery was one of the most powerful institutions on the island, being a virtual kingdom within itself.

Parco Bellini
Finally I went to the newly-reopened Parco Bellini.  It is one of the largest parks in downtown Catania and was as beautiful as it was large.

The gazebo at the Parco Bellini

Click on the slideshow below for the rest of the photos:

Christmas Decorations

Tricia and I were just about the last people to get a tree this year that the Optimist's tree sale, but we got a beauty.
 

The tree, pre-decoration. 

After running all over town we were able to find some lights and were finally able to decorate it.

Fully lit and ornamented. 

Tricia and I got a new ornament to celebrate our new life together, you can see it on the upper-left, it is a white figure of two people holding eachother.

The tree and Santa.

Tricia also set up a Christmas village on the old desk.

Tricia's Christmas Village