Bergamo

After an uncomfortable drive from Bologna on busy Autostrada, a lovely afternoon in Bergamo, a real hidden gem of a City. We are staying in the Citta Alta.  This shot was taken from the top of the Civic Tower, or Campanone, built in c.1100 AD. Its massive bells ring 180 times at 10pm, in memory of the curfew under the Venetians.

I walked around the 6km city walls, with some fine views of the Città Bassa.

Now one of the most bizarre sights of the entire trip so far was at the Cappella Colleoni, a lavish mausoleum for Venetian condottiere Bartolomeo Colleoni. On the gate outside are several versions of Colleoni's coat of arms, with its emblem of three testicles, which are said to bring good luck to those who touch them.  I did actually, but washed my hands afterwards.