Saturday, June 15th
Today, we docked in Civitavecchia (gateway to Rome), but since we had already spent three days in Rome with Terri-Ann and Krystal last year, we decided to just spend time walking around Civitavecchia. It is a very underwhelming place, so we didn't spend a lot of time looking around. I was feeling better from my cold, so we sat out on the deck of the ship when we got back. We had an ice-cream and spent time reading. The show in the Princess theatre tonight was 'Spotlight Showtime featuring AJ Clarke' - he was a singer and piano player and was really good.
Steps for the day: 14,305
'Welcome to Civitavecchia' ('Ancient Town') desk at the port where we docked
Vigili del Fuoco - Fire Station near the port of Civitavecchia
Sue in front of 'Welcome to Civitavecchia' sign on the way to the town
The 'Royal Clipper' sailing cruise ship - has the proud distinction of being the largest and only five-masted full-rigged sailing ship - has 42 sails - is 439' long - carries just 227 guests in luxurious style
Part of the ancient remains of the Roman dock around which the present city of Civitavecchia was developed
Porta Livorno (Livorno Door) - to facilitate access to the port for those who came from the north side of the city, Pope Clement XIII had a door open in the walls that enclosed the port, which was called Porta Livorno because it looked towards this city
Massive 17th century defensive wall between the port and the city
Fortezza Michelangelo (Michelangelo Fortress) - protects the port of Civitavecchia - started in 1508 and completed in 1535 - Michelangelo Buonarroti was commissioned to build the 'maschio' (a typical medieval tower characterized by a higher height in comparison to the others0 and from whom the fortress took its name
Piazza della Vita (Life Square) - in front of Forte Michelangelo - a hub for the city capable of hosting events, concerts and shows - also used by local artisans with stalls and for rides and games for children, bars, street food, kiosks, and outdoor places
Mike standing in front of one of the gates into the fortress - two ship anchors stand on either side of the entrance
The fortress
The fortress and the port
Sue and Mike overlooking the port
Cattedrale di San Francesco d'Assisi (The Cathedral of St. Francis of Assissi) - the main Roman Catholic church of Civitavecchia - completed in 1782 - the cathedral has a baroque facade and is shaped by three symmetrical chapels on each side, a high vaulted ceiling and a triumphal arch - the main entrance is characterized by an elegant fan-shaped staircase - on the left of this photo is a monument of Bishop Carlo
Forte Michelangelo from a distance
Piazza Leandra (Leandra Square) - the oldest square in the city - owes its name to an old legend whose main character is an old sailor called Leandro - legend says that his words persuaded the inhabitants to go back to the sea to find again the old Centumcellae (the harbour of Civitavecchia) after the Saracen invasion
Sue in front of a medieval fountain in Piazza Leandra
Chiesa della Stella (Church of the Star) - one of the oldest churches in Civitavecchia - originally founded in 1274 - in 1688, the church was made bigger and adorned with rich holy ornaments and works of art
Mike in archway
Mercato di Civitavecchia (Market of Civitavecchia) - also known as San Lorenzo Market - located in the heart of the old city town around Piazza Regina Margherita - every morning the inhabitants of Civitavecchia come to buy fresh products like fruit and vegetables and fish
Madonna statue in Corso Centocelle - pedestrian zone
Sue behind Coloured Pencils artwork outside Teatro Communale Traiano
Teatro Comunale Traiano (Trajan Municipal Theatre) - Trajan was an Roman emperor from 98 - 117AD and founder of Civitavecchia - the theatre was built in the first half of the 19th century - a cultural centre which offers a large variety of performances: ballets, concerts, plays, operas - it has 638 seats (384 in the stalls, 206 in the gallery and 48 in the side galleries)
Princess bag and chocolates awaiting us on our return to the ship this day
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