Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Just off the southern end of the Ambulacro della Scena della Grande Caccia, in the
Sala
mosaic. It depicts nine (originally there were 10) bikini-clad girls working out with
weights and dinky dumbbells, in preparation for the Olympic games.
Mythical Trials Apartments
On one side of the Ambulacro is a series of apartments where the floor illustrations repro-
duce scenes from Homer and other mythical episodes. Of particular interest is the
triclinium
(banquet hall), with a splendid depiction of the labours of Hercules, where the tortured
monsters are ensnared by a smirking Odysseus.
from the
triclinium
, you have to exit the building and walk around the apse.
Getting There & Away
If driving to Villa Romana del Casale, follow signs along the SP15 from Piazza Armer-
ina's town centre. By public transport it's harder but not impossible. Between May and
September CTS Autolinee runs seven daily buses to the site, departing from Piazza Sen-
atore Marescalchi on the hour (9am to noon and 4pm to 7pm) and returning from the villa
on the half-hour.
Outside summer you will have to walk - it's downhill, not too strenuous, and takes
about an hour. The walk back is only steep for the last part. Taxis will take you there, wait
for an hour, and drive you back to town for about €25; to book one, call
093 568 05
01.
TOP OF CHAPTER
Aidone
Heading northeast from Piazza Armerina, the road leads past attractive woodland and
rocky grass banks to the sleepy hilltop village of Aidone. Although a nice enough place -
check out the grandstand views over the surrounding valley - the one reason to stop off is
to visit the
Museo Archeologico
( 093 58 73 07;
www.regione.sicilia.it/beniculturali/deadimorgantina
; adult/re-
duced €6/3; 9am-7pm)
. This small museum whets the appetite for the Greek ruins at Mor-
gantina with a small collection of artefacts from the site, and displays chronicling life in
ancient times and the recent excavation work. In 2011, amid great fanfare, the museum
