Friday, June 21, 2013

We had morning tea and coffee and pastry ashore with David and Julia and another OCC couple, David and Stell. Lots of chatting about sailing adventures.

We explored more in the old city of Ortygia. Wandering old, narrow, turning streets has been interesting and enlightening. Until 1492 and the forced removal of the Jewish population of Syracusa, a small community lived in part of Ortygia. Twenty years ago, the new owner of a building that was in the area where Jews resided, discovered some centuries old history. He removed a wall during a renovation project and uncovered a stairway leading 18 feet below ground to a medieval Jewish mikvah where purification rituals were carried out. The baths were carved out of stone and continue to be filled with spring water. No photos were allowed.

It was another very hot day and we found that the narrow streets afforded some shade and if that was not available we walked sometimes single file to stay in a patch of shade. Back aboard Canty in the afternoon we went for swims. The water temp was 77°F!

Photo: The “flying machine” above the entrance to the cathedral in Syracusa.