Bologna - more to see, more to taste ànd rain.

 Over night it rained and more was predicted today. It was the first rain we have seen in six weeks, and in Italy at this time of year rain means very noisy thunderstorms and heavy rain.

It is nearly a half hour walk to Piazza Maggiore; with rain threatening we did it with haste. Our first coupon today was used for breakfast overlooking the piazza and the front of the Cathedral San Petronio.

We came across a wonderful bookshop which we remembered from many years ago and as we were browsing the rain started to fall. Looking for a refuge, the church of  Santa Maria de Vita was nearby.

Bologna has the oldest continuously in use university in the world, having been founded in 1088. It was the first university to award degrees to graduating students. The term university was founded here.

The original building is incredible, steeped in the history of learning and in recognition of those early masters and their students. Just as we entered the courtyard the rain came crashing down.

At least we had some shelter in the portico. It got so dark the lights came on inside the building.

As the rain continued we decided to go upstairs to see the Anatomical Theatre.

Now we understand the use of the term 'operating theatre'. 

Also available to view was the Stabat Mater Hall, the great lecture auditorium of the law students. There was another for the arts. This hall is richly decorated to recognise the many great men, and some women, who did great things for Bologna and their chosen field of knowledge.

This room is still used today for civic events.

This area is now a library but it was ten classrooms for the students.

What a fascinating time lay through this doorway.

By now it was time to cash in another voucher, for meats and cheese typical of the area. In the front window of the shop a woman was making pasta and attracting quite a crowd.

This was a nice surprise; a platter each with parma ham, salami and mortadella, two cheeses and a bag containing two tigelli and two warm crispy  breads. It was delicious and we sat outside and enjoyed it, watching the world go by as we ate.

After lunch we walked on through more and more porticos, noting the changes in style, the restorations and the historic plaques with details of the many palazzi.

We came upon a private museum, free entry and an interesting collection of unusual things such as door handles, keys, ironwork, glassware, cookware as well as the usual 1500s art, furniture and more.

It was here that we saw our first Australians! Two men who looked similarly surprised to hear us speak.

Down every vicolo, laneway and around every corner there is something to draw your attention. As I have often said, what you see at the front is very often not what is behind those doors or gates,

On the long walk home (I wonder how many kms we walked today?), we used another of our vouchers. Gelato Oggi is considered one of the best in the city. It certainly got our approval.

Since coming home we have had more heavy rain so no sitting outside to enjoy the 

evening today.