Sutri, Italy. Sutri is a very ancient city whose origins go back to the late bronze age.

 Sutri is a very ancient city whose origins go back to the late bronze age, but it was with the Etruscans that it became most developed. Located in a strategic point that acts as a connection between Etruscan and Roman territories, it was long disputed between the two peoples. Definitively conquered by the Roman Empire, the city was involved in fights between the Lombards and Byzantines for control of central Italy. Occupied first by the Lombards in 728, it was given by King Liutprand to Pope Gregory II becoming the first centre of the Church State.
http://www.bestsmalltownsitaly.com/town/sutri-lazio-center/

This was like the broadway of these parts(my thoughts anyway). It is a theater carved out of volcanic rock(also will show you a chapel made the same way)!
The place is said to be around since 300 BC. Did anyone here make anything during AD? :)
Take a look:

Here are some tombs that are carved around the outside of the theater. What there doing there, I do not know.

I was told that the small compartments were to leave the departed some gifts for their journey.

Pretty awesome, right!!!!!!

Now here was my treat. I had the privilege of going to these places with a local (my host). Five of us we were able to gain access to the Church of the Madonna del Parto. This chapel is not accessible to all that come. They limit access due the the fragile state of the exhibit(they need to keep the the cave environment to a constant). When you first enter the church you are greeted with this mural that takes your breath away. To view the chapel you have to walk under the mural and you enter another world. You are breathless not from lack of oxygen by the site and the thought of what it took to build such a place. I did not believe what I saw. A cave chapel!!!!! Glancing up at the ceiling I noticed the thousands of chisel marks that were left buy the builders. I could hear the clanging of each chisel strike, clang, clang, clang!! OK, 

I was able to take some pictures of this rare visit. I will like to give you a glimpse!!!

The alter

Who dat?

We were told this painting has five events painted over each other!

My  new friend from Africa "Eme".

I hope you enjoyed going back in time!

http://www.bestsmalltownsitaly.com/town/sutri-lazio-center/

Next adventure???? Who knows where I'll end up but will sure to post.........Till the next thought

CIAO CIAO

Mal

Ancient Village of Calcata, Italy!!!!!! This is a must for travelers.

I the US, we think 200 years for a house is old. Well, how about a home that is over 3700 years old. That is not old, its ancient!!!!! This is a village hat was abandoned by the residents in the 1930's  ordered by government officials to leave due to fear of colape. Thirty some odd years later, it is well know that hippies started to move in. Now it has residents from all over the world with a eclectic mix.

We a dropped in on a well known artists' home in Calcata. His name is Costantino Morosin and his cave dwelling is said to be built around 1700BC.
He lives in a village built on top of a ridge and his home is carved out of the cliff. Its a maze of rooms that have contours that make you feel part of nature. Take a look at some wonderful pictures of the village and Costantinos' home.

This doorway was built to allow space to bring in wine barrels!!

Marco waiting on me, the tourist!!!!

Stone chair in the middle of the town carved by
Costantino Morosin.

Narrow passage ways.

A door in a tunnel

Terrace on a cliff!!!!!!!!!!!

Cliff side front door!!!!!!!

This door is about four feet high.

Looking over the side, down the cliff(terrace) .

So That is some of the village. Now lets say hello to 

Costantino Morosin.

Tree size timber. Some look 25ft long!!!!!

Glass on floor showing the cave below

Some of his artwork.Love the view out the window. This window is the actual side of the cliff!!!

This window is carved out the side of the cliff

What you see is not plaster walls, the rooms are carved out of the rock!!!!

Not bad for a 3700 year old cave kitchen.

Chair with stone arm rests.

4 ft. closet door(ancient)

Stairs go through the carved out wall.

Please  check out his facebook page and thank him for allowing us to share his home.

 https://it-it.facebook.com/costantino.morosin 

After we left his home we went for a cappuccino in the village hot spot. A rock bar!!!!!????????

Me and the bar keep just chill-en. He was cool maaaaaaaan........

I never thought that I would have the privilege of seeing the inside of a actual cave dwelling on the cliffs of Calcata Italy but there I was. Just think. 3700 years ago they chiseled the rocks to make there homes!!!!!!!!!!!I shall endorse this destination to anyone when traveling in Italy.

Thanks for reading and looking at the pictures. This place was a blast. Also makes you think a lot when you realize that people lived here 3700 years ago!!!!!!!
It was such a privilege for me to see sites less traveled.

I hope you enjoyed the pictures as much as I enjoyed taking the. Looking forward to bringing you some more when I hit Naples, Genoa, Venice, Florence and a small village just east of Venice which I nor you have never heard of. Its my hosts family home and I have been Invited!!!!!

Till the next thought..................
Ciao Ciao
Malcolm