Licata - a photo essay

We've settled into our winter home and absolutely love the place. I'll try to show you why in this post. Licata is a true workingman's Italian town nestled into the southern coast of Sicily. The high hills behind the town provide a panoramic view over this coastline. We climbed up to the castle on the top of the hill; steep, but worth the view.

The wave break walls of the Port of Licata

Steep climb up to the Castro

Coastline looking west

Coast looking east

Unusual Necropolis above the town

The Marina and river entrance (that's the brown muddy water)

The town itself is a warren of small windy alley's, steep flights of stairs and dark nooks and crannies. It's a bit dirty and grubby, but every now and then, an amazing architectural feature, or carving, or ancient doorway just grabs your attention. It makes you realise that while its not a polished tourist destination, this is an old town with roots that go way back to medieval times.

Windy alley's and lanes

Virgins abound

Licata town hall

Even has its own music shop

Streetscapes 

I call this 'the old man's street'

More old men

Being as we are in the heart of Catholicism, there is no shortage of churches. The churches are now the repositories of much of the old art, and they are absolutely splendid inside.

Licata Chiese St Angelo

This church has been extensively rebuilt after WW2 damage

What is the story behind the black christ?

Carved wooden fresco's frame master paintings

All the gory details of the passion

Church candleabra

Beautifully detailed ceiling

The marina itself is spacious and nicely laid out, the facilities are easily accessible without walking miles. There are beaches either side of the marina, handy for the Pilates class held there in the mornings.

Main boardwalk in the marina, local lighthouse

Sand dunes behind the beach

The main beach

Megan at our 'local'

We've been adopted by one of the local cafe's, and we can't pass without being hailed by a hearty 'Bon giorno Capitane'. The social life at the marina is abundant, with a weekly bbq, too many happy hours to maintain sobriety, boules and exercise groups. We've started a band, and I'm teaching a guitar class. Megan has started an art group. We're so busy, we need a vacation from our hectic life-style!

Weekly BBQ

Some of the local cruisers: Melanie, Dave, Deidre and Chris.

A marina organised tour of Licata town, we're heading out on foot.

The following photo's just illustrate some of the surprising details that leap out from this fascinating town.

Old architectural features abound

An amphora from the marine archeological museum

Check out the gargoyles under this veranda

An aerial view over Licata

Old cave church

What to say??

This painting symbolises a local Licata folk singer

Street view

Amazing wood carving

More wood carving

Wall carved from wood

Carved nave

The pride of Sicily.

Thankfully, we've yet to see any other tourists apart from the marina crowd. After a season choking on tourists, its nice to get to a town with no apparent tourist attractions. We are very happy with our choice for the winter.