Mercoledi, Aprile 7-6 miles
Some of the immense underground of Perugia. This was the original medieval town until it was taken over by the "naughty Pope" (as Maura our tour guide explained). This area now serves as a transition and a museum as it links visitors through a series of escalators to what is Perugia today.
A park outside the palace. We found that Perugia has many green spaces and parks like this one. I found these parks one of the best features of Perugia and for this reason it is one of my favorite places we have visited. All the parks offered plentiful shade and seating.
an old man and his dog looking over to the valley
an old lady washing her hands in one of the fountains in the park
a cafe that has views of the valley
Along the corso we found this dog patiently waiting his owner as he stopped for a pastry and cafe. Here we found out our tour guide Maura worked as a translator for National Geographic guiding one of its journalists through Italy.
a shaggy, solemn looking dog watching passers-by on the corso
a civic building flanking the main piazza that terminates on the corso; it served as a town hall and was used for various town and government meetings, weddings, and events
A grand switchback stairway along the Via Prome. It was located on a city edge and had vast views of the valley.
the class admiring the views and aqueduct below
A view of the aqueduct with stairs that run along in the street beside it. This aqueduct is no longer used to transport water but has been adapted to a pedestrian bridge.
some of the spring blossoms
another park space, Piazza Italia
Nearing the end of the day we rode the Mini-Metro to our bus stop. Here is a nice lighting effect at one of the stops.
The Mini-Metro was some of the most fun we had of the day. I found every one of us had smiles on our faces illustrating our fascination and excitement for something so new.
We (unfortunately) got off at one of the stops so we could see some more "famous architecture" by yet another "famous architect" (Aldo Rossi). This fits into the post-modernist category. I find it (criticizing both the architecture and outdoor space) to be too massive, over-scaled to humans, and just uncomfortable (unfortunate as this is a residential area...). It has a large piazza and as you can see on this gorgeously sunny day in the 70's there is no one there. A day when other piazzas and parks in Perugia were filled with people enjoying the warm day, yet no one desires to use this one. That to me is a testament to its failure.
The title of this post is a comment Heidi made as we climbed the stairs to this atrociousness.
The fountain that sits in the center of the piazza. It is the only part of this space that I find somewhat interesting (perhaps because it is the only element actually IN the space...). I do however, think it would be more fitting were it placed in an office park rather than a residential location.
Quickly the pigeons diverted my attention and I found them to be, quite frankly, more interesting than anything surrounding me.
Here Laura and I sigh as we experience the massive (lack of) design for this outdoor...space?.... This...space?....consists of a continuous brick paving pattern that is too small and monotonous for the courtyard.
Here is one of Perugia's famous Bacio or 'kiss' chocolates. Hershey's has nothing on Perugina chocolate! Each chocolate came with a fortune/proverb in it. My first one was something along the lines of polygamists having too many wives but monogamy also having one too many wives....well, I couldn't just end my trip on that soooo.....naturally I had to get another one. My second chocolate said 'Given the right chance, a woman can do anything'. Awesome! I'll end here.
1 comment:
As always, your posts delight me (and this one makes me want... no, need... chocolate!
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