Ancona

 Ancona 

Before I talk about my, Melanie‘s, trip to Ancona, I have to tell you twice on this trip I saw David so very excited  There is nothing better than seeing David excited. The first time was when we got to hang out with the HR person from Viking. The poor woman! David peppered her with about 100 million questions which she was very polite and answered It was a bit fascinating. The second time is when he came back from the caves, which was today’s trip, and told me all about it. It’s so nice to see him happy.

Today we are in Ancona. David did cave tours and I went on a city tour. For obvious reasons, I was really interested in the fact that Ancona has Museum for the blind. In it is a reproduction of Notre Dame and many famous paintings that the blind can touch. All is written in braille.

Ancona is on the Eastern coast. The mountains already have snow now. 

The Greeks first settled here   They Came from Scilly The Greeks were here until the Romans came in 200 BC. From the 1500s to 1860s Ancona was part of the papal state. I didn’t realize at that time the Popes were the politicians and decided what to fund e.g. hospitals and such. Ancona left the Papal state in 1867 to join the new kingdom of Italy.

We visited at least 6 churches. I’m only writing about one since, to be honest, I lost interest. We visited a 13 th century Greek cathedral we could see underneath this cathedral was another cathedral from the 12 century. Actually, the  Ancona Cathedral's history began as a 4th-century B.C. Greek temple to Aphrodite

We went down to the crypts.  There we saw the grave of the first bishop of Ancona, Saint Cyriacus. He died by torture forced to swallow liquid hot lead. 

Also at this church the painting of the Virgin Mary was said to have cried when Napoleon came to Ancona. 

But I love most about this church was outside the church were two lions guarding the church. It reminded me of the fifth Avenue Library in Manhattan where I spent many happy hours grading papers while my kids were at Camp reunion.

Just a few more points of interest about Ancona. There was a Greek amphitheater built here. It was converted to a monastery. When that closed it became a prison.  The Italians do not waste stone and resources. 

Ancona  is a big shipyard. Two new Viking boats are being built there right now.

Lastly, and most importantly, we also saw the ancient Palace of old people. What is that you ask? Was it a nursing home? No, apparently they had the older people govern because they were the wisest.  I hope our children and our grandchildren are reading this.