October 2020 Minturno and Sessa Aurunca

On Friday morning we set off early for Caserta but make two stops along the way. Driving through Formia is nightmarish and I'm starting to get fed up of the local drivers, bullying, aggressive and with total disrespect for Stops or Give Ways.

Minturno has a nice little historical centre and an even nicer church. The collegiata of San Pietro Apostolo is a delightful combination of different architectural styles and items, impossible to have planned yet perfectly harmonious and beautiful in its illogicality.  

The pulpit is especially nice, similar to the ones seen in Terracina and elsewhere as well as, next to it, the candlestick of the paschal candle with mosaic decorations. 

Well worth the stop. We also stop at the nearby War Cemetery with 2049 tombstones, commemorating mostly British soldiers who lost their lives during the Second World War.

and the aqueduct 

We want to be in Sessa Aurunca well before midday and I have another close brush with a speed trap on the only section of road where I increase my speed just slightly. We get to the Cathedral in Sessa with ten minutes to spare only to find it was anyway closed for restoration. Still, the outside has some  nice details

and a short walk around the small town means we also see a couple of nice squares.

Lunchtime is looming, we are a little tired, a little hot a little stressed by the traffic so find a nearby church in the countryside to picnic on Google maps. Oh dear, a dilapidated place full of rubbish with no shade. It will have to do.

Fortunately we can check in at 2.45 to the apartment in San Nicola La Strada right next to Caserta. It's ok and we go out straight away in search of fresh local produce as advised by our host. Another non-event. Fortunately, there's a very good Pasticceria instead where we console ourselves, finally, with some ricotta-filled Sfogliatelle ricce/rizze.

Somewhat encouraged we end up in a surprisingly good Famila superstore where we can finally stock up for a few days, fortunately without using the car. We're ready for tomorrow....