A Traveler's Diary- Begining Venture: Civitavecchia, Italy

 This post and the next few that follow are just as the title indicates, a diary of the the places we visited while abroad.

Needless to say when you have been away for several weeks and when you are addicted to hearing the camera's shutter button going "click", inevitably there will be thousands of photos.

Most of the captures are basically snapshots. 

My eyes saw something.

My eyes liked what they saw.

My brain said: "You need to click".

And "click" it went.

I decided to post the photos as is...very minor editing, if any, and then transfering them from raw to jpeg. Some of the photos, in my view have great potential for making them more artistic, and probably in due time I will play with them. But for the time being and for the sake of keeping the memory of all the places visited alive and fresh, I am just going to add all the photos as is.

Flight from Chicago to Rome took us approximately nine hours with a short stop in Amsterdam.

First place we visited was Civitavecchia, Italy and not Rome. The reason being the cruise ship we were booked on departed from this port.

Having lived in Italy and having traveled the country extensively, Civitavecchia (pronounced chee.vee.tuh.veh.kee.uh) had never been on my radar, therefor it was definitely an area that needed exploring.

"The port of Civitavecchia is the world’s 13th busiest cruise port and it’s massive – Officially named “Roma Cruise Terminal (aka RCT)”, it consists of 8 cruise terminals and 15 berths that can accommodate the world’s largest cruise liners. Civitavecchia port is also a homeport, meaning that cruises start and end in Civitavecchia." 

But mind you, we did not end there.

"Civitavecchia port is the main gateway to Italy’s capital city of Rome. The coastal town of Civitavecchia sits approximately 80 km/50 miles northwest of the eternal city. The ancient town of Civitavecchia was founded in the 2nd century." 

"The town of Civitavecchia is located within walking distance of the port. This charming town is known for its 16th-century Fortezza Michelangelo, a beautiful city promenade, a local church and the National Archaeological Museum." 

I personally was taken by the old buildings, the balconies with clotheslines and beautiful designed, textured doors.

There is no shortage of colors in this quaint little town, which makes these old buildings stand out even more. And of course texture galore!

Let us not forget the murals that cover entrance doors to businesses.

One of the main attractions to Civitavecchia is Fort Michaelangelo. 

"Fort Michaelangelo is an imposing four-towered fort that had its first stone blessed and placed by Pope Julius II in 1508. Today, Fort Michaelangelo houses the Port Captaincy offices and is surrounded by a lovely flower-laden pedestrian walkway."

"From the main square of the city, towards the east between the medieval walls and the new Sangallo wall is the main church of the city the Civitavecchia Cathedral, devoted to Saint Francis of Assisi. It is located in the historic center of Piazza Vittorio Emanuele and is site to the bishop's throne of the Diocese of Civitavecchia and Tarquinia. It is here where the Bishop usually celebrates the Holy Mass during recurring events and particular occasions.

Completed definitively in 1782 under the papacy of Pope Pius VI, it became Cathedral from 1805.

After the bombings of 1943 it was seriously damaged and it was afterwards completely restored in 1950 with a project of the architect Plinio Marconi."

"Once inside, the church presents a very beautiful shape, with its only one nave, decorated on the sides by symmetrical chapels hollowed out in the back, inserted between columns that, with their bases and rich capitals, they seem to be bearing the majestic royal vault that recovers the whole environment."

Holy Door of Civitavecchia's Cathedral

Ok, I know the above photo had nothing to do with buildings and structures and places to see, but I found her pose "waiting in anticipation" very cute, hence..........

 "CLICK"!

"The pedestrianized seafront promenade of Civitavecchia is a bustling port and city hotspot. Featuring shops and bars, it's a short walk from where cruise ships dock. A great place for a stroll along the sea and dotted with restaurants and bars with a great seaview. The large and famous Unconditional Surrender statue of the sailor kissing a nurse to mark the end of the second world war, towers over the promenade."

If you ever wondered what is there to see or do in Civitavecchia, wonder not. Definitely, a charming little town worth visiting.

Tomorrow we will be off sailing on the Meditarenean towards our next port. Hope to see you on our next stop. Until then I leave you with this beautiful color of the Meditarenean Sea.

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