2023 Tuesday Oct. 31

Sutri Rest Day

No video today.

The day is cooler but sunny and beautiful. We had plans to begin at the Etruscan amphitheater and then see the town. As our hotel is located a couple of miles out of town, we were grateful to get a transfer to town as well as back to the hotel in the afternoon.

Our hotel clearly does many weddings and is well situated both for groups and events.
There is a chapel on-site that looks ready for a wedding.
The Etruscan amphitheater. Sutri was a Roman outpost as early as 384 BCE. This amphitheater is the only known major building for public spectacles carved entirely from rock.
There were two gates on the long axis (only one is open today), with 10 doorways along a service corridor, five on each side.
Some doorways are more carefully chiseled than others. We wonder if it relates to some covering allowed, or if it indicates an entry for more important persons.
There are three tiers around the amphitheater, with an aisle between the tiers. Special “seated boxes” are distributed (mostly on the northwest side), and there are four channels for clearing water from the amphitheater, two on each side.
Late in the afternoon we had another viewpoint of the amphitheater. It shows the oval shape.
Heading up to the old town, we see the symbol of Sutrium.
The major cathedral dominates the hill.
The Cathedral of Sutri, Santa Maria Assunta, was consecrated in 1207 but has had major renovations and today’s architecture is mainly from the 1700’s and 1800’s.
This chapel is dedicated to St. Dolcissima, the patron Saint of Sutri. Her relics are preserved in an urn with a fourth century inscription.
The crypt has two naves of seven columns covered by cross vaulted spans. Columns are crowned with recycled images of plant forms.
Another image from the crypt.
The next church is the Chiesa di Santa Croce. It has been mentioned since the Middle Ages but today’s church appears much newer. The altar painting represents the celebration of Santa Croce.
There is also a statue and painting of St. Jude Thaddeus, the patron saint of impossible causes.
Torre Fortebracci from the second half of the XIII century. It was not open for Richard to climb.
Lunch was a local specialty; capellacci all’Etrusca.
The fountain in the Piazza Comunale, the central square of Sutri.
The arch dates from the II century BC. After two world wars, it has become a war memorial.
The church of St Francis clearly has a more modern look.
The Etruscan necropolis may have been reused during Roman and medieval times, but had 64 tombs cut into the tufa rock. They incorporated burial, cremation, and mixed styles in multilevel spaces.
Note the decorative detail above richard.

Comments:

Wendy Hendry: Looks like an interesting day. Especially enjoy your pictures of the local churches and chapels. They all have their unique features. With all these wonderful meals you are having will you ever want to cook again! 2023/11/01 at 4:53 am

Reply: Sutri is a fascinating place that we have enjoyed. The walk in was one of our favorites, including another interesting hill town (two in one day!) besides not having to cook myself, the best thing is trying something new to eat each day. I’ve enjoyed some of my favorites from past visits, but have some new favorites. Fresh Porcini mushrooms, truffles, chestnut cream, yum! 2023/11/01 at 5:37 am

Julia Holman: Ooooooo…..such cool old places….the crypts look amazing….especially during all hallows eve!!! 2023/11/01 at 7:38 pm

Reply: Agreed. It feels amazing to walk in the area where humans have been for thousands of years. 2023/11/01 at 9:56 pm