cultural commentary from the desk of Don Shewey
BOLOGNA
There is a grave and learned air about the city, and a pleasant gloom about it, that would leave a distinct and separate impression in the mind, among a crowd of cities, though it were not still further marked in the traveller’s remembrance by the two brick leaning towers, inclining clock-wise as if they were bowing stiffly to each other.
— Charles Dickens
Ospitalita' San Tommaso, the monastery/residence connected to Basilica di San Domenico
at Santurario di San Luca, the magnificent church overlooking and overseeing all of Bologna, worshipers kiss a replica of the icon of the Virgin Mary, who was crowned Queen and Savior of Bologna
Andy and I basking in the sun on the steps of San Luca
John, Jennings, and Michael
Tim and Larry on the stroll down the hill
the road up to San Luca winds like a snake, and the monument was designed to have 666 porticos to represent the devil (the world) tamed by the power of the Madonna -- pilgrims have been known to walk this path uphill on their knees
on our way back to town, a marching band of bersaglieri suddenly turned the corner with their black-plumed hats and blaring trumpets
I love the funky edges of beautifully designed cities
St. Dominic figures heavily in Bologna's religious history -- at the Basilica, he is surrounded by what Andy decided were his seven vampire brides....
the head of St. Dominic enshrined
the gorgeous ceiling at San Domenico
Larry in the cloister at San Domenico
another eye opens 