I have a soft spot for Bologna, probably my favourite Italian city. It is compact, stylish and there is plenty for the non-Italian speaking visitor to appreciate, not least the 3.5 km walk from the centre to Santuario di Madonna di San Luca. This porticoed walkway comprises 666 arches and can be seen stretching to the hill top in this first image – an ideal outing come rain or shine. According to Wiki – ‘built in 1674-1793, it was meant to protect the icon as it was paraded up the hill. A yearly procession from the Cathedral of San Pietro in the centre of Bologna to the Sanctuary goes along this path. Originally the arches held icons or chapels erected by the patron family’.
A previous visit coincided with the arrival of the Mille Miglia (the much sanitised road rally event, not the real thing) and the following day we made a pilgrimage to Modena, home of Ferrari. Our next trip will include a much more convenient outing – to Via Antonio Cavalieri Ducati, birthplace of my Monster, the 696, which makes a brief appearance in this Monster 821 promotional video shot in and around the city. The arched door in the image above can be seen with the 821 at the end of the ‘history lesson’. Divine synchronicity – one day I must be destined to have one 😉
Will you ever grow up Robin? – Hopefully not 🙂
https://soundcloud.com/mgurux/ducati-monster-revs
northumbrian : light 
Wow, gorgeous city. Love the earthy color of the architecture. I think that bike has your name on it. 🙂
Thank goodness for that – I thought it was just me. I can see a faint etching of Robin just beneath the Monster logo 🙂
Love the view across the city, and the very Italian terracotta colours just make me want to jump on a plane and visit NOW! Glad you won’t grow up, I’m not alone!!
Me too, I think the beloved is persuaded except for the Ducati factory tour 🙂
Stay forever young Sue.
🙂
My favourite is #2 looking down on the tower
Thanks, I was pleased with that one – it’s those long shadows that make it I think.
What a tease you are, Robin! I was all agog to stroll through Bologna! 😦
All that fuss about a noisy motorcycle 🙂 … But it is a mechanical gem 😀
The architecture has such a lovely warm feel to it-and the arcade is majestic-as for the bike-that design screams *speed* 🙂
It is a lovely place Meg, thoroughly recommend it … and the bikes 🙂 … not just outright speed, the acceleration is mind blowing 😈
You have made Bologna look so enticing, Robin. Not sure about the Ducati. Not a biker girl anywhere in my past. Btw you posts don’t register in my email any more. That’s why I’m a bit slow getting here. Need a bike obviously.
It is a fabulous city Trish, with or without the bikes. The beloved is similarly bereft of biking credentials but my Mum was brought up on them – enough to forbid that I should ever have one. True to her wishes, I don’t have one, I have two 🙂
🙂
Forever young… I wanna be forever young… 😉
Sexy bikes!!
You only have to wish it and you will be ❤
Especially if you love bikes 🙂