A close up of the central nave of the Cathedral of Siracusa (Syracuse). April 24, 2017

Although the present version of the Cathedral of Siracusa in Sicily was constructed by Saint Bishop Zosimo in the 7th century, its exterior Doric columns (which are also visible from inside the cathedral) are from the Greek Temple of Athena built more than 2400 years ago. of the original temple were incorporated in the walls of the current church. April 24, 2017

Me inside the Cathedral of Siracusa (Syracuse) standing by the oldest part of the cathedral, the Doric columns from the 5th century Temple of Athena. April 24, 2017

The exterior of the Cathedral of Siracusa (Syracuse), Sicily, shows the Doric columns of the original Greek Temple to Athena built some 2400 years ago. These same historical columns can be seen in the cathedral interior. April 24, 2017

Me standing by the Doric capital ruins of theTemple of Apollo on the island of Ortigia, considered the historical centre of the city of Siracusa (Syracuse). These ruins date back to the 6th century BC. April 24, 2017

The view of sea Tuesday morning from my hotel window on the island of Ortigia, Sicily, just as our Rick Steves “Best of Sicily” tour is ready to ready to make our way to Catania, Sicily, where we say our good-byes after 11 days of traveling through Sicily together. April 25, 2017

The reproduction of part of a Sicilian town destroyed by bombing and the ravages of war are displayed at the Museo Della Sbarco in Catania, Sicily. April 25, 2017

We only had a few minutes to visit the interior of the grand Catania Cathedral in Catania, Sicily, but I loved its simplicity and beauty. April 25, 2017

Taking centre stage is another showpiece in Catania’s Piazza del Duomo, the smiling Fontana dell’Elefante is made of lava stone and was assembled in 1736. April 25, 2017

Because Catania, Sicily, lies at the foot of Mount Etna, the city has seen destruction from the volcano, while at the same time the volcanic ashes have yielded fertile lands. And, its buildings, like this one, have that black-lava limestone local baroque style to them that I’ve quite frankly have never seen before. April 25, 2017

Castello Ursino in Catania, Sicily, was built in the 13th century as a royal castle. April 25, 2017

The grand Catania Cathedral dedicated to Saint Agatha in Catania, Sicily’s is located in the Piazza del Duomo. The cathedral has been destroyed and rebuilt several times because of earthquakes and eruptions of the nearby Mount Etna. It was originally constructed in 1078-1093, on the ruins of an ancient Roman bath. April 25, 2017