Retire Early
Lifestyle
Retirement; like your parents, but way cooler
In 1991 Billy and Akaisha Kaderli retired at the age
of 38. Now, into their 4th decade of this
financially independent lifestyle, they invite you
to take advantage of their wisdom and experience. |
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St. John
at Sea Church
(Also known as San Giovanni
a Mare)
Gaeta, Italy
Billy and Akaisha Kaderli
Currency Converter
The sea side town of Gaeta,
Italy has a long history with the origins of this particular church dating back
to the Middle Ages.
San Giovanni a Mare or St.
John at Sea is a 10th-century church located in Gaeta, in the region of Lazio, Italy.
For
many years the church was sponsored by the guild of carpenters. Because of this,
and because St. Joseph was a carpenter, this church was also known as San
Giuseppe.
The building both inside
and out is a mixture of Byzantine, Roman and Medieval architecture.

Sign inside the church
This church has gone through many renovations
over the years bringing in a little of this and taking out a little of that.
Located in the heart of
medieval Gaeta, it is located on the seafront with the facade facing the
beautiful Gulf of Gaeta, only a few steps from the Cathedral.
Since it was built so close to the sea, the
pavement in front and also the inside of the church has a slight downward
slope to facilitate the flow of water at high tide.

Looking at the main altar
This slight incline also created a
perspective of looking up at the altar with its sacredness implied.
It was during the restoration of 1928 that
the main altar was replaced by the top slab of a Roman tomb with detailed
carvings of hippogriffs.
Hippogriffs are creatures that are a blend of
eagles and horses.
This Roman sarcophagus is from 400 AD.

Restored Frescos on the walls
These frescos are from the 13th to the 16th
centuries. The color is still so vivid!
The church was destroyed in the
earthquake of 1213, and also suffered serious damage during the
Second
World War. Music concerts
and church services continued from 1975-1980, but then was closed again for
renovations.

Roman columns
These Roman columns are of different heights
and were built up and decorated with cement and stucco.
You can see one of the frescos to the left in
the photo.

Vibrant fresco
This fresco shows an image of the Baby Jesus,
the Virgin Mary and on either side are Archangels St. Michael and St. Gabriel.
St. John the Baptist is on the far right.
It's a simple church with a rich history and
architecture of note.
If you enjoy history and architecture, you
will enjoy San Giovanni a Mare Church
_______
San Giovanni a Mare
Via Bausan, 26
Gaeta LT, Italy
Tele: +39 0771 462255
Only open on weekends
For more stories, photos and videos of
Italy, click
here
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About the Authors



Retire
Early Lifestyle appeals to a different
kind of person – the person who prizes their
independence, values their time, and who doesn’t
want to mindlessly follow the crowd.
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