42. Syracuse - Part 2. Palazzo Borgia and chasing pigeons.

The name Borgia has many connotations throughout the history of Italy and Spain so we were intrigued to view the Palazzo. The Borgia's were Popes and King makers and even a saint but had developed a rather unsavoury reputation. Whether it was all true or partly true or just false truths, I would not know. Suffice is to say they were a very powerful family in the 1400 to 1500 centuries and by the 18th century were no longer in existence. One famous family member was Lucrezia Borgia born in 1480 and associated with the Italian Renaissance and was allegedly an expert on intrigue and poisoning. She was the daughter of one of the Popes.

Peeping through the window shows an interesting looking interior 

Zooming in makes it look more interesting 

We venture forward

Palazzo Borgia del Casale

About to enter

The first room on view

What we saw through the window

Some of the period dresses on display 

The beautiful Chandeliers going through to each room

The cups under each light are for catching the candle wax

This spectacular room below depicted the gods of Greek Mythology one in particular was Cupid who was the son of Venus and the God of War. The audio guide described various stories which were shown in the murals on the ceiling in this room.

Try a Zoom

The View of Piazza Municipale in the sunset from the balcony of the Borgia Palazzo. 

Another room with Mythology murals and again some period dresses. Try a Zoom

A picture of Cupid up to his antics. See the magnificent marble floor. 

We were offered a glass of Prosecco while admiring the view from the balcony. 

A model with a wedding dress beside an old Alfa Romeo Sports Car. 

Like an oil painting

The model being driven around the Piazza while being photographed. Behind is a swish bicycle taxi. Try a Zoom

We left the Piazzo Municipale and headed for Piazza Archimede for a cool granita (iced lemon). This Piazza has the most wonderful fountain.

The Fountain of Diana which depicts various stories of Mythology but the perceived activity in the life like figures is superb. It shows the Goddess of Hunting Artemis who transformed her handmaiden Aretusa into a spring to avoid the pesky advances of a river god Alpheus. Note that all the names begin with A.    Try a Zoom

Arteus at the feet of Artemis and the pesky river god peeking from behind. 

Try a Zoom

Mother and Child having fun

I saw this little boy in the piazza chasing pigeons and his mother tries to catch him without success. He is off after the pigeons and it seems Dad in the yellow shirt was encouraging him. He was having great fun and the pigeons were, well, nonplussed. 

The Piazza here looks as if it could be in the 18th Century