Castle in the clouds
- Jun 30, 2016
- 3 min read
We cooled off a bit, hydrated, and I strapped on the backpack with my camera, and headed off to climb the mountain to the Castello Di Vezio.
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This afternoon will likely go down as the highlight of the trip for two reasons: First, we could easily have fallen to our deaths off the steep cliff.
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There is no photographic evidence to support my claims here, however, I will attempt to describe the treachery, knowing full well that my words will fail. The trail was narrow, perhaps two feet wide, comprised of slabs of rock or stones. On the right was the sheer rock of the mountain, with some shallow crevices to grasp, or occasionally some vegetation (mostly thorny) to hold briefly. On the left was a sharp drop, no railing, nothing but the tops of trees to break a fall. Occasionally, a small clearing would open up where I could catch my breath, consider my options, and curse myself for not leaving a will.
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I've experienced tiny stabs of vertigo before, but nothing as sustained and visceral as this 30 minute climb. I felt light headed. My insides from my throat to my legs lurched and rolled. I felt like I was in quicksand. Going back down was not an option, but going up seemed impossibly risky.
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Btw, Steve was fine with the heights and the trail. While this experience was mine, I still cannot imagine even as I write this, why there were no warnings. Of course, the Italian sign at the bottom offered no meaning (not even any symbols) for us. But when I asked the charming Italian hotel receptionist how long it would take to hike up to the castle, he didn't even flinch. He pointedly looked me up and down, huffed a bit with a shrug and said, "30 minutes?" Cinchy!
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Yeah. Not so much.
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Did I mention the incline? I cannot exaggerate the incline. Add to the sharp mountain rock, narrow passage, and treacherous slope an incline comparable to a ladder against a house. Sometimes, the incline was like my front staircase, with an occasional break of a gentle slope, but other times it felt like a ladder.
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Ok. Enough.
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We made it to a level area where the path took us over to the entrance of the castle property. Here there was a sign with English instructions. It was at this point that another couple breezed past us at the gate to go down a lovely path to the village. There's a PATH? A wide, friendly, safe, cool PATH? My anxiety evaporated and a wave of pure gratitude washed over me. Gracia a Dio! The climb was behind me and now I could enjoy this fascinating 11th century fortress.
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The grounds are beautifully maintained. There are displays of armor and weaponry. It's fairly small and wide open with a courtyard, some stairs, a short ladder bridge, and a turret. The climb up to the top of the turret was a piece of cake (I will never take a railing for granted again, whether I use it or not). We were the only ones there at the top.
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Ahhhh, the views!
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This is part two of this trip highlight: The clouds parted and the late afternoon sun illuminated the mountain range and lake below.
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Magifico! Worth every step!
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We marched back down to the village (steepish, but delightful!) and stopped at a cafe on the water watching the sun set (at about 9:30).
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