Cassini, colonnades and roundabouts

Gian Domenico Cassini was a clever man.  In 1655 he constructed what is, at 67m, the longest internal meridian line in the world.  It runs along the floor of the Basilica of San Petronio in Bologna.  Up in the ceiling of the church is a tiny hole. (See Anniemay’s blip).  At midday the sun shines through the hole and casts a circle of light onto the line. 

Measurements using the meridian line enabled Cassini to confirm the early work of people like Kepler and Galileo.  (I’m simplifying here - this was really big science and an amazing achievement). 

As midday draws near, so do the crowds.  Anniemay and I wait for over an hour as the circle of light moves slowly across the floor of the church towards the line.  We’re in prime position and then I’m nudged just as it reaches halfway.  By the time I’m able to re-focus it’s just passed the centre point.  No matter - we saw it, that’s the main thing.

That was a big and unexpected surprise.  Bologna is full of them.  Another is (are?) the colonnades; arched walkways that run between the buildings and the roads.  Their total length is 40km (25 miles) - the longest in the world. 

More prosaic is the crazy roundabout near our hotel.  

In my extra, the roundabout is behind me.  It would be easier to explain with a drone shot - but here goes.  To get to the other side you first have to cross the approach road and then stop in the middle and turn 90 degrees.  As you come off the roundabout you’re now walking down the middle of the road into the oncoming traffic.  You then turn 90 degrees again and onto the pavement.  It seems to work.

On the way back to the hotel we stop for a late-night gelato.  Oh my.

Home tomorrow.  We’ve loved our time here and hope to return.

ps - thank you for all your comments.  I’ll catch up in due course.