The ship was in Messina for just half a day so we were soon ashore to check out the highlights.
We docked very close to the centre of the old town so it was a very easy stroll to reach the main square- Piazza Duomo. We especially enjoyed the animated clock with the largest and most complex mechanical astronomical clock in the world. It performs daily at 12 midday. The angels ring the bells. The lion roars. The cock crows. The apostles parade and a model of the cathedral appears. This did not leave us much time as the show took 10 minutes and we had to be back on board by 12.30 to depart for the next port.
We also saw the beautiful fountain of Orion, the cathedral and several mediaeval churches. Three of us climbed the Caperrina hill to visit the sanctuary of Montalto which has been rebuilt since the earthquake of 1908. Here we had magnificent views of the city and the Straits of Messina.
As we sailed for Civitecchia (Rome), we passed the island of Stromboli and had a great view of the volcano belching its sulphurous gases. It is called the lighthouse of the Mediterranean.
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2 comments:
I googled the clock. Oh yes, very impressive. I think if worried about the time I would have been saying "Come on, hurry up!" to it - slowest crowing rooster I've ever seen.
Wouldn't the boat wait for you? What does happen if you miss it?
xxx
Di
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