Tindari

Tindari has been on my Sicily "to-see" list since I read about another blogger's visit to the area a couple of months ago. Les had the day off yesterday and I have a few precious days left of freedom before I start my next class, so we made the 2 1/2 hour drive north to Tindari, about 30 minutes west of Messina.

We found our way to Tindari pretty easily. The GPS tried to lead us astray a couple of times, but we didn't buy it. I think it was trying to help us avoid toll roads, but we really didn't mind getting there sooner rather than later!

The Tindari area is closed to traffic except for residents so we had to park and take a bus up to the top. The bus dropped us off and we found our way into a piazza with a massive church... a structure that we had seen in the distance in the distance as we wound our way up the steep hill.

A beautiful mosaic inside the Santuario della Madonna Nera

The Sanctuary of the Black Madonna was very new, compared to many of the churches we have seen in this neck of the woods. It was built in the late 1970s/early 1980s. While it was new with modern touches, it payed tribute in style to the older churches with beautiful paintings and mosaics.

After walking through the church we headed down the hill a bit toward the archaeological park. After paying for our tickets I took a good look at my surroundings. It was gorgeous and peaceful. Not too crowded. Beautiful view of the sea. I felt a bit like I was in La Jolla, maybe around Torrey Pines (with Greek and Roman ruins instead of Pines).

The ruins at Tindari include a Greek Amphitheater, a Roman Villa, and a Basilica.

Teatro Greco

Looking toward the sea from the Teatro

A Gnarled-looking Olive Tree

One of the mosaics inside the ruins of the Roman Villa

The columns are all that remain of the terraces of the Roman Villa

The Basilica

Looking down on the sea and a sandbar

This is what I saw while I was eating lunch. Gorgeous, right?

After a long leisurely lunch we made our way back down the hill to the car and started the long drive home. It was so nice to get out and do some more sightseeing. These past two weeks have been filled with adventures. I start class again on Tuesday (uff). Hopefully I can do a better job at balancing "work" and fun and continue to explore the island.