Island Hopping 2024: Agrigento to Giarratana, Villa Romana Del Casale

Monday, April 1:  This was a very nice and elegant hotel and it was hard to leave.  Also since I was sick and miserable it wasn’t a bad place to be sick and miserable at.  Still we had to move on, so with Sandy armed to the teeth with ibuprofen pills and me not hearing a word anyone was saying we checked out of our comfortable digs and headed down the road.   We will be spending the next four weeks at an AirBnB in southeastern Sicily, outside of the very small town of Giarrantana.  

Agrigento to Giarratana

Along the way we had planned to stop at a remarkable archaeological site, the Villa Romana Del Casale.  Special because it is the world’s largest collection of Roman floor mosaics ever found in situ, (where they were originally laid).  

The history of the Villa Romana del Casale is as captivating as its ruins themselves. It was likely built in the 4th century AD, and served as a luxurious retreat for a wealthy Roman aristocrat, perhaps even an imperial governor. Its opulence knew no bounds, boasting an extensive complex of buildings, lavish courtyards, and sumptuous baths.

The true marvel of the Villa Romana del Casale lies not only in its architectural splendor but also in its remarkable mosaics. The mosaics are viewed from catwalks passing over and around the tiled art.  We found ourselves entranced by the intricate designs that adorned the floors of the villa. Each mosaic told a story, capturing scenes of daily life, mythological tales, and exotic landscapes with astonishing detail and artistry. 

Perhaps an aristocratic bride

Mosaic pattern down a hallway

The Hunt.  Note the bore is alive and in a net.  Some speculate the official who lived in the villa may have been an importer of exotic animals

Fishermen and an Angel

More exotic animals

The mosaic represents a river.  A rare preserved fresco on the wall 

A mosaic, known as the "Bikini Girls," caught my eye.  It portrayed a group of young women clad in revealing attire, engaged in various leisure activities. As I gazed upon their graceful forms and mischievous expressions, I couldn't help but chuckle at the timeless appeal of beach fashion.

Playing tennis

All the Bikini Girls

We missed some of the mosaics and all of the bath house, those Romans loved their bath houses, because Sandy’s supply of pain pills could not stay ahead of my constantly escalating ear pain.  Cutting the tour short we drove the rest of the way to Giarrantana.  On arrival I immediately went to bed with the intention of not moving until this infection went away.

New digs