I must tell you about the place I am at right now. Words do not quite describe and I had to stop myself taking photos of buildings. They are all beautiful in their own way. Even the dull light of January doesn't detract from their beauty.
On first impressions I thought Bologna was a bit like Cambridge but with loads more Italians. It is a bit like Cambridge. There are obviously a lot more Italians here as well. The shops are very individual like in Cambridge and there is an grandeur in the air too.
It is home to the oldest universtiy in the world and at the Medieval Museum there are lots of carvings for tombs to venerate teachers and scholars. This is a tradition I advocate bringing back! Both Bologna and Cambridge are university towns with a long tradition but Bologna seems so much larger.
I stared in awe at the buildings and started to click. Each time I turned a corner there was another wonderful ancient building or quaint alley. I actually think I could have just wondered around looking at buildings but the cold got the better of me so I visited a museum where I thought the Romans wouldn't get a look in. I was wrong. Part of the old palace where the museum is is an old Roman wall and the foundations are exposed to boot. It cannot be denied. The Romans really did get everywhere.
The artifacts come from all over the world, porcelain from China, weapons and tableware from the Middle East, a tapestry cloak from England, ridiculously high stack shoes from Venice - all immaculate and so beautifully made. It is a testament to the great wealth of the region as well as how connected it was to the greater world.
There are actually palaces almost in every street and a number of Roman Catholic churches dotted around the old city. I visited the Basilica di San Petronio which sells itself as a minor church built in the 15th century. Photography is not allowed so you will have to take my word for how the columns support a high vaulted ceiling miles up in the air. The height alone is mind-blowing. There is a meridien line across the floor showing how the locals were also interested in science as well as religion. The front of the church was never completed but the open brickwork doesn't look out of place. Take my word. It is wonderful in all its aspects.
I had lunch at the mercato delle herbe - an indoor vegetable market with eateries on its flanks. Another beautiful building - and just for selling veggies. These people have style in abundance.
People walk around attached to dogs so you would definitely feel at home here, Marms. You would probably need some traction booties to cope with the marble walkways and that would stop your paws feeling the cold. I could see you fitting in.
Tonight I am moving on.. another town, another bed and another step closer to England.
Miss you so mucho....
Love
XXX
No comments:
Post a Comment