Tyrrhenian Sea!

This weekend our field trip was on sunday and we went to Sperlonga to see the famous grotto of the emperor  Tiberius, and his villa. This whole site was right on the coast of the Tyrrhenian sea (which is really part of the Mediterranean). It was such a long bus ride: almost 3 hours! But definitely worth it.

The site was amazing, as well all the sculpture. One of the inscriptions says that the artists of the works were the same ones who did the Laocoon, which allows us to date that work, because of the precise and historical data we have about Sperlonga. This site is also really unique because the town fought and protested in the 1950's to keep the sculpture on site, and they now have a beautiful museum to house these works instead of them having been shipped off to Rome.

Then we got to hang out at the beach and swim which was absolutely amazing. The water was extra warm and the beach was nice. One of the interesting things about the beach at Sperlonga is that the ruins of Tiberius's villa extend past the modern day water line, so on half of the beach you have to be very careful not to run into the ruins as they are somewhat sharp. The current was also really strong, and the water extra salty, but once you got out past the ruins the ocean was amazing and totally worth it!

all in all it was a wonderful field trip!

jlm