Piazza Armerina and Caltagirone.
Sayoko, David (from California) and us visited Villa Casale, a famous and enormous Roman hunting lodge constructed around 290 AD and declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997. During the 12th century a landslide buried the Villa, thus protecting the extraordinary mosaics depicting Roman life. Full-scale excavations began in the 1950s, 800+ years later.
The lodge occupies 38,000 sq. ft 
An example of how the mosaics are protected from the weather.
Central courtyard with fountains
Walkway around the central courtyard.
The mosaics depict heads of animals.
David, Sayoko and Tony
This is the Hunting Hall. 198 ft in length, it depicts
various animals that were captured and caged in Africa for transport to Rome and later found in the circuses and gladiatorial games.
And now, the famous Bikini Girls.
Caltagirone
Another UNESCO World Heritage Site, it has been known for millennia for its ceramics.
In 1606 the church and government decided to link the two seats of power by creating a staircase between the Cathedral and the Palazzo Senatorio.
There are 142 steps, each decorated with majolica tiles.
A fun day with good friends
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