May 1st, 2012
We landed in Rome on Sunday morning and straightaway headed off south on the Autostrada. Although yje country was lush and green it was hard to keep awake after more than 24 hours on the plane.
Our first stop was at Montecassino, the mother house of the Benedictine order. 30,000 men died here in 1943 (44?), including a lot of Poles and New Zealanders. The Americans bombed it to smithereens, but the abbey has now been rebuilt according to the originnal plans with careful attention to detail.
We stayed the night in Mater Domini, a very pleasant pilgrimage town. St Gerard looks after children and pregnancy. The following day we drove first to Castel del Monte, a most unusual octagonal castle, perched as usual on a hilltop with a commanding view of the plain around. We are now staying in Alberobello, which lonely planet describes as a Tourist trap. however it is a pretty town surrounded by good farming land with lots of olives, oranges, wheat and orchards.
As we drove along a main i was intrigued by the "Ladies of the day". They sit by the side of a straight stretch of road, with an umbrella for shade and wait for custom from the passing traffic.
We landed in Rome on Sunday morning and straightaway headed off south on the Autostrada. Although yje country was lush and green it was hard to keep awake after more than 24 hours on the plane.
Our first stop was at Montecassino, the mother house of the Benedictine order. 30,000 men died here in 1943 (44?), including a lot of Poles and New Zealanders. The Americans bombed it to smithereens, but the abbey has now been rebuilt according to the originnal plans with careful attention to detail.
We stayed the night in Mater Domini, a very pleasant pilgrimage town. St Gerard looks after children and pregnancy. The following day we drove first to Castel del Monte, a most unusual octagonal castle, perched as usual on a hilltop with a commanding view of the plain around. We are now staying in Alberobello, which lonely planet describes as a Tourist trap. however it is a pretty town surrounded by good farming land with lots of olives, oranges, wheat and orchards.
As we drove along a main i was intrigued by the "Ladies of the day". They sit by the side of a straight stretch of road, with an umbrella for shade and wait for custom from the passing traffic.
Looking over one of the courtyards of the rebuilt Abbey of Montecassino
The gardens at montecassino. They were fenced off and patrolled by two Alsatians.
Interior of the rebuilt basilica at Montecassino. The frescoes have not been repainted yet
Pigeons enjoying the amenities at Montecassino.
A gaggle of nuns at Montecassino
Along the road to Castel del Monte
Castel del Monte, one of 82 castles built by Frederick 2nd, the Holy Roman emperor in about 1240.
One of the guardian animals at Castel del Monte
Typical Trulli houses in Alberobello. The tradition started in the1400s and somewhere along the way it became obligatory. The requirement was eventually removed in1797.
That's all for now. I hope to edit it when the connection is better
Hi Kate
ReplyDeleteGlad to see you on the move again. Your travels look awesome. You will have to tell me the itinerary - we must go!! Now I have to convince Roman to go atravelling in the same way as you and Bill.
Love Lucy
Kate, you have finally arived in Italy. What a very strange itinerary! To go direct from Rome right down to Alberobello which is extremely remote by Italian standards. You are travelling in a group aren't you? The prostitutes by the roadside used to be seen even out around the countryside of Naples in the 70's and I would have thought life had become more prosperous by now and removed the need for such desperate conditions. Prob not too much employment that far south as Alberobello, known of course for those funny houses. The remake of the interior of Montecassino in the 20th C is really amazing. any chance of posting the names of the cities in your upcoming travels, in advance? Buon viaggio. Love Gwen
ReplyDeleteFantastic to see you are travelling again! I will enjoy following you around.
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