Lazy Sunday on the waterfront in Siracusa

On Sunday March 6, I woke up with terrible back spasms. We consulted Dr. Google, who suggested ice, which really helped.  Alonso went out mid-morning for his first run of the trip.  He did a waterfront run of 5.6 km just as the sun was breaking through the clouds.  After a late breakfast, we decided to go for a walk as the sun was still out and it was warm (about 17C).  We went down to the waterfront near our apartment and then proceeded to take the waterfront path around part of the island.

Entrance at port 

Well-groomed trees

Boats at a marina

Colourful ride in a small park

Hard to read the inscription, but definitely a cool dude!

A wonderful old tree in the park near the sea

Looking afar

Another view

These are papyrus- in a pool with fish

A colourful duck

Alonso on the boardwalk

Imagining all those who have sailed to Siracusa

The water is very clear and a lovely turquoise blue

There are many beautiful old churches in Ortigia.  Baroque facades of fancy.

Chiesa della Spirito Santo

The colour of the sea

A very attractive building with plants

We decided to stop for a very late afternoon snack, as we really hadn't had lunch.  Clandestino was open and we were the only customers.   It is actually a fairly hip restaurant with a large interior, but it  has only three small tables outside on a street at the side of the building.  The server was very nice--- she confirmed that in Sicily an espresso is called a "normale" and that they know you are foreign if you ask for an espresso.  Alonso usually has a macchiato and I a "normale".

The outdoor tables

We shared a charcuterie plate that was excellent.

Lovely charcuterie plate-- I got a separate plate with some sheep cheese

In addition to the churches, Ortigia is full of ancient Palazzos.

Palazzo Spagna- 1760!

The signs of Easter are appearing around town.  These bunnies were in a candy/chocolate shop that was closed on Sunday.

Easter goodies

We eventually made our way back to Piazza del Duomo.

Caffe Minerva on side street near Duomo

We decided to go into the Duomo, as it was open.  This 5th century B.C. Greek temple, dedicated to Athena, was renowned throughout the Mediterranean--- Cicero visited the Temple in the 1st century B.C.  In the old days, there was a golden statue of Athena on its roof that served as a beacon to sailors.  Today there is a statue of the Virgin Mary on the top of the church.

Inside the Duomo

The opposite side

Mosaic tiles from the Norman period on the wall and a 13th century Norman font adorned by seven bronze lions

View of the Alter

Preserved Doric column in the interior

Beautiful light fixtures

Finally some people in the Caffe del Duomo

Outside of Duomo during the day-- it is an amazing building

The Chiesa di Santa Lucia alla Badia at the southern end of the square is also very impressive with twisted columns beside the entrance.  The church was built between 1695-1703 on the site of a 15th century monastery destroyed in the 1693 earthquake. There is a Caravaggio painting in the church, which we will have to return to- the church was not open when we passed by.

Chiesa di Santa Lucia alla Badia

Another view of the Piazza- umbrellas are in front of Palazzo Benevantano del Bosco (1779)

We stopped at Cannoli del Re for a pistachio cannolo, which was put together like an ice cream cone. Cannoli are a Sicilian specialty- a number of bakeries put the filling in as you wait.

Small storefront for Cannoli del Re- in Piazza Duomo

Alonso with his pistachio cannolo

Mickey with his balloons

Across from the Duomo- another beautiful Palazzo

View inside

Another interesting street sign-- for the archeologist Saverio Landolina

We noticed that there were more people out and about than on previous days.  A number of stores were open on Sunday.  Our last stop was a coffee at Caffe Apollo near our apartment.

Alonso at the Apollo

We went back to the apartment where we had fresh artichokes, pasta with a pistachio sauce, a salad and some lovely almond cookies.  We are enjoying the Sicilian local wines especially the reds  made from Sicily's most important red wine grape, the Nero d'Avola.