Adventures in Agrigento...

     One of our favorite things to do is to set off in the morning and walk the narrow streets, alleys, and stairways of these old Sicilian cities, just to see what discovery or adventure is around the next corner.  Sometimes we have a destination, sometimes we just wander.  Here are some photos of things we encountered the first day in Agrigento.....

     The Church of Santa Maria of the Greeks (Santa Maria dei Greci) had an exhibit of modern paintings alongside ancient Greek columns...

                                         

     We passed the open door of a workshop with the sounds and smells of carpentry in the air.  We of course invited ourselves in and talked with the 82-year-old man who was restoring two old wooden doors.  He didn't want his picture taken, but he said it was OK to take photos of his shop.....

   
     You've heard of the Stairway to Heaven, this one goes the other way..... It leads down to, well... the Church of Purgatory.  The church had a contemporary photo exhibit going on... and an angel...

   

   

    We saw these four displays within twenty-five feet of each other.  Who knows what it all means....

                                               

     We were impressed with this Nike-wearing nun on a mobile phone, guarding the entrance to Monastero Santo Spirito in Agrigento, where there was a wonderful exhibit of Bernini's last sculpture, done in 1680.  The walls of the Monastery have deep relief plaster sculptures.

                                           

                                                                       
                                                 

     We loved the eroded facade and great color of this old Baroque building.....

 
    The Cathedral of San Gerlando in Agrigento is essentially closed to the public due to concerns about the stability of the earth under it's north foundations, which are on the edge of a cliff.  The front door and facade are completely closed, but there are shoes and sneakers placed on the wide steps.  You can apparently adopt a shoe for 10 euros with the money going to a restoration and stabilization fund.....

   
     This "Staircase of the Arts" was just a bit bizarre..... And a beautiful staircase with a cute restaurant......  

                                                                 

   
Finally, this view of the Mediterranean from one of the city's main piazzas.....
                                               

   
And that's just from one day's wanderings in this amazing ancient city of Agrigento!