Crotone the City of Pythagoras

 

 Day 19 – Crotone, Italy   Friday, November 21

Tour: Crotone On Your Own

We traveled by motor coach to Piazza Pythagoras, an homage to the Greek mathematician and Crotone resident.  We were told that this city was the site of the world's first mathmatic Academy and the first Academy of Anatomy. There we set off on a self-guided exploration on foot.  The main Cathedral in Piazza Duomo was not open to visit but there are 9 curches within the old city so a visit to the Immacolata Church (Church of Immaculate Conception.)

Modest church with simple entrance



Beautifully decorated interior.


The Alter


Statue and alter dedicated to Padre Pio. Pio of Pietrelcina, widely known as Padre Pio, Latin: Pater Pius, was an Italian Capuchin friar, priest, stigmatist, and mystic. He is venerated as a saint in the Catholic Church, celebrated on 23 September.


Next stop was at the National Archaeological Museum. The museum has predominately artifacts from the Ancient Greek city that exhisted on the site of te current city.



These beautiful pieces were dated to 700 BC





Probably the most impressive piece in the collection was this Gold crown which was said to be on the head of a statue of Hera. 


Gold and Silver jewelry

After visiting the Archeological museum we continued up the hill to the  Charles V Castle, where you are greeted by daughters of Pythagoras in period costumes.




Entrance to the Castle


Entrance to the castle from inside



Incredible views from atop the castle. In the distance was a village that appears to be in the crater of a volcano.




Entrance to the dungeon


From the ramparts, we could see our ship and realized that was quite a hike to get up here.


Someof the homes were beautifully decorated



Onthe way back down the hill from the castle, in the city park, they had an area set up for us to try a local favorite pastry.  It is fried and very similar to a donut which is covered in sugar, Very good.  They also had live music so very enjoyable.


One of the musicians had a pair of puppets that danced as they played.  the puppets were attached to his knee, so as he tapped his foot, they danced.


After hiking down the hill, we wer greeted by staff dancing to a musical accompiment.


Out on the back deck "The Aquavit Terrace" for lunch



Comments

  1. Debbie T.November 21, 2025 at 3:26 PM

    I love to see photos of YOU GUYS!! You look wonderful!! I see you took a photo of Cecile under the plant decorated balcony....is she getting some "redecorating" ideas for your balcony at home? Based on the variety of ALL your photos, this has been quite a trip filled with so much history, art, and beautiful countryside. (Living in the crater of a volcano doesn't seem like a very good idea though!! :-)

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