Guardia Costieria

The Coast Guard office on Molfetta's harbour is located next to the Duomo.

Overpass

Molfetta is cut through the middle by the north-south bound train tracks. In the past, to get from one side of town to the other meant waiting at one of the many crossings for the train to go by and the barriers to lift. Over the years, these crossings have all been closed and replaced by under and overpasses. The largest and most spectacular of these links Via 25 Aprile with Via Enrico Berlinguer.

I shot this photo while driving over this overpass which everyone refers to as "the Big Bridge."

At the Rainbow's End

At the end of this rainbow lies the cathedral of Giovinazzo.

The Silver Lining

Can you see the rainbow peeking through the dark clouds?

Reflections on a Rainy Day

The chairs meet to debate on whether summer is really, in fact, quite over and if, perhaps, it would be best to retreat into the garage until spring.

Torre Gavetone Beach Reefs

This photo, which shows the area of Torre Gavetone beach just to the left of the tower, is one that I didn't plan on posting, but some of the questions that came up in yesterday's comments made me think that this shot might be helpful for understanding what "the beach" is like in Molfetta. There's no sand, just rocky reefs. Sunbathers try to find the flattest spot to lie down on and many people bring bamboo mats to try to get somewhat comfy. Sounds miserable if you aren't accustomed to it, I know. But Molfettans hate sand. They think it's dirty and annoying...give them a rocky reef any day!

Today it's pouring down rain here. No chance for sunbathing or swimming in the sea today!

Torre Gavetone

Torre Gavetone was built on the reefs along the Adriatic Sea just to the south of town during the Second World War as a munitions deposit and look-out tower.

Windy Days

Another period without adsl or phone line...ugh! In the meantime, we have had some very cold and windy weather here in Molfetta.

A Fat Plant

This succulent grows along the shores of the Adriatic, poking up between the rocks. In Italian, succulents are called "piante grasse" which translates literally as "fat plants."

Molfettan Faces - Mauro

Mauro is the caretaker at the Circolo Nautico Ippocampo, one of the docks for pleasure crafts in Molfetta. Here he is cleaning mussels fished right off the dock.

Port View

Here's a peaceful image and a wish that you all have a peaceful Sunday.

Torre Gavetone Beach

The Torre Gavetone beach is considered by many to be the nicest free beach in town. The water is almost always clean and transparent. The only problem is the rumor that a WWII ship carrying bombs and other arms was sunk just off the coast here. Children find old metal fuses under the rocks...

But, let's not dwell on these unpleasant thoughts! Let's just envy this fellow working on his tan at the beach at 4 o'clock in the afternoon in mid-October!

Pistacchio Green

...and a supporter of the Bari Soccer team. I think the sticker kind of ruins the scooter. What do you think?

Bomba Banzai

Seen on a border wall of the Parco di Ponente along Via Giacomo de' Medici.

Parking Garage

A detail of the gate to a parking garage on Vico Dodicesimo Madonna dei Martiri.

Conversano - Cathedral of Saint Benedict

Stone lions guard the main entrance to the Church of Saint Benedict, Conversano's cathedral.

Conversano - Historic Center

Conversano - Padre Pio

This life-sized statue of Padre Pio of Pietrelcina is located near the castle in Conversano. Padre Pio was a Capuchin friar, a mystic and is well on his way to becoming a saint (which is a process involving many stages over a relatively long period of time). He bore the stigmata, which are Christ's five wounds from the crucifixion. He is beloved in the region of Apulia, particularly, because he created a large hospital and a sanctuary at San Giovanni Rotondo.

If you look closely at the photo you will see that he is covered with rosaries. These are offerings that the faithful leave when they take a vow, which is a sort of deal that you make with the saint (almost-saint, in this case). You make an offering and ask for the saint's intervention: in the area of health, love, fertility, quitting smoking...whatever your problem may be.

For more information on this interesting friar click here.

Conversano

Conversano is a small city located about a 40 minute drive southwest of Molfetta. It is famous for being home to Apulia's largest television station, Telenorba, but also has a lovely old town complete with an Aragonese castle.

Here are a few views of the castle...

Aritmia Mediterranea, 3

Before I had my technological breakdown (!) I had started a series on the annual street art and culture festival "Aritmia Mediterranea" and I promised to show you the completed versions of the murals being painted by graffiti artists on the first day. Well, a promise is a promise and better late than never, etc., etc. So here we go...

What do you think? Did they turn out the way you thought they would? Which one is your favorite? To see the works in progress, click here.

October Theme Day: Contrast

My contrast is a simple one: light and dark.

Click here to view thumbnails for all participants