Doors and Confetti in Sulmona

 We left Rome in a sweltering heat wave and drove east towards the region called Abruzzo. The autostrada wound up through the foothills and continued to ascend higher and higher. We drove through tunnels and looked out over steep dropoffs and at far away villages atop mountains. The mountains reminded us of parts of Montana, wooded but arid, treelines visible at the higher levels and far below, valleys. It is a beautiful but rugged region. Sulmona was our destination. Believe me, when I made reservations to stay in a little albergo in a small city called Sulmona, I had no idea what to expect. I only knew that there were several hotels and B&Bs and interestingly enough, it was the birthplace of Ovid. We arrived at 1:30 and found the city virtually empty, shops closed, no one about, a quiet small city. Then we remembered about Italian  "siesta". Literally everyone goes home for lunch and possibly a short nap, the shops close completely and the streets are empty. After checking into our hotel, we started walking. Yeaterday and today after traipsing all over Rome and walking all through Sulmona, I have major blisters and my feet are sore. But along the way we noticed all the many beautiful doors, many clearly dating way back when and others renovated and modernized. But each unique and exquisite. 

 This one opened into a small inside sanctuary with frescoes along the far wall. 

 

Some far older and more worn than others but no less beautiful.      Others opening into the far beyond.       

 So many of you might wonder what Sulmona is famous for in addition to being the birthplace of Ovid. As if Ovid was not enough....... It is certainly an ancient city, full of chiese( churches) and piazzas. Did you know that Italian Americans brought the custom of throwing confetti at weddings? And this little town of Sulmona is the heart of confetti making. Literally every other shop is a confetti shop, usually owned and run by a few generations of the same family.  This kind of confetti is not just little bits paper, but it is a colorful and delicious confection. We saw shops full of candy flowers and fruit, amazingly realistic and beautiful. 

 

 Tomorrow we are off to find the Adriatic Sea. We are looking forward to an afternoon at the beach.