DAY IN BOLOGNA

We really needed a rest so we slept late!! I was awake from 3 to 6 a.m. working on the last blog and then fell asleep. I was the last one up at 11:30!!!!! So we started off walking to the main Piazza! Apparently a lot of Bologna was damaged in WWII as it was the last line of defense for the Germans before they retreated! But you wouldn't know it! The buildings all look from medieval times and beautiful!

The streets are very narrow and shady. The weather here is beautiful, in the 60s and sunny! The main piazza has a huge basilica that was intended to be the largest in the world! When the Pope found out, he cut off funding and it was never finished; hence, the lower part is covered in marble but the upper is the underlayer of brick!! It stayed that way for several hundred years!! David said there was a terrorist incident inside (armed guards are everywhere at sites here in Italy!) as there apparently is a painting of Mohammed (Muslims don't have pictures in any of their temples; and certainly not of Mohammed!) so an attempt was made to blow it up!  Muslim terrorists tried to destroy the Basilica but were thwarted by Italian police. The terrorists claimed that a 15th-century fresco inside was insulting to Islam. The fresco, painted by Giovanni da Modena, depicts Muhammad in Hell being devoured by demons. I didn't see the fresco as it must have been covered up! 

There are 4 huge towers left, built for defense with slits in the sides. Angie and I decided to climb the 498 steps up almost 92 meters to the top. There were very narrow, wood stairs, fortunately with railings on both sides but we had to stop when people were coming down the other way! I can't believe I made it to the top and down! Thanks, Dr. Fitz for the new knees last year!! I never could have done it! And without pain!

One of us had a tooth issue so we found a pharmacy where she could get antibiotics, no prescription needed! We were hungry by now so found a wonderful restaurant in a narrow alleyway and had a great meal! David joined us and showed us the original building of the University of Bologna, the earliest university in Europe where people like Copernicus studied!! 

He also showed us his favorite church where 7 churches have all been added on, each in different styles, over the centuries. It is now a monastery and I bought a Bologna book in the gift shop from one of the monks.

Entrance to our loft!

After the climb and I'm still standing! Amazing!

Mom and David!

Angie on the way up.

Elegant store.

Bought my curling iron here! Had to take the pict of the name!

Loved this Happiness store! Those are sweatpants in the window.

Looking down from 1/2 way up the tower

Looking down at the lower tower.

My delicious meal - pork, potatoes, salad, seltzer!

Oldest University in Europe!

Selfie from the top of tower

Looking up; still to climb!

Overlooking Bologna

Unfinished basilica

After my daily gelato (David treated!!) we headed back to our flat. David and Angie went off for coffee, with Angie getting lost on the way back. She WhatsApped me to get the address and then we struggled with the keys, big old fashioned skeleton keys that we'd had difficulty with! Cathy and I were rested up and Cathy soon went to bed. David came over and prepared a wonderful pasta/and sauce meal with wonderful Chianti and great conversation! He has another two weeks of study before he has exams and heads home! He will start an internship for the summer and then his second year at Johns Hopkins! When Angie had him 23 years ago, I filled in for her at Pomperaug as the Library Media Specialist until she came back. I then went on to a new job in Bethel! He is delightful!! And so helpful! 

Tomorrow a day trip to Ravenna by train!