Surprises!

You may think that after two summers spent in Viterbo that I would have seen everything.  But no.  Today on an early morning walk I discovered this, a junk yard full of gorgeous whatsits, old bits of marble tracery, stone columns, parts of old fountains and statuary, bits of dried up Etruscans for god's sake!  And it's in a junk yard of antichi.  Just sitting there waiting for me to buy the lot.

And if that's not enough, this little church, San Marco, has always been closed.  But today it was open!  A 12th century Cistercian church, a wee gem, a stark and austere love shack for God.

I was honored to be able to climb the steps and peer inside at the beauty.

The main apse has a large painting and some still-vivid frescoes.

And another unique confessional.

It's actually built into the walls, though probably not part of the original plan.  I like the idea of entering the wall though as you are confessing your sin of eating boxes of chocolates you bought in Rome for friends.  Oops.  Well.  I am hoping I can replace them at the Duty Free on my way out.
Ciao ragazzi!