I arrived in Pesaro in time for lunch. Pesaro is in the region of Le Marche on the eastern coast of Italy, along the Adriatic Sea. It's a popular seaside destination. I reserved a hotel for three days, with a loose plan to explore the city, take the bus to the nearby medieval village of Urbino for one day, and have another day to relax at the beach. After leaving my bags in my somewhat bleak hotel room and eating a mediocre lunch, I hoped the day would improve as I set out for a walk through the city center.
Well, I was pleasantly surprised at the charm-- quaint streets, shops, and interesting fixtures overhead on many of the side streets. I truly smiled when I reached the street with the hanging umbrellas! I have seen photos of this display, and did not know that it was in Pesaro!
I asked my neighbor, Sergio, who seems to know almost everything about Italian history and art, to explain the significance of the umbrellas. He replied that it was just for fun. That is a good enough reason for me! Though, I did wonder if the lanterns with the musical notes connected to the composer Gioachino Rossini. Pesaro is his birthplace and the annual Rossini Opera Festival was happening while I was there. (Outdoor and indoor performances.)
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| Perfect symmetry! |
