Toby and Allan in Torino, Alba, Genova and Bologna

Thursday October 27 was another sunny and warm day with a high of 23C.   We decided to visit the Museo d'Arte Moderna di Bologna (Modern Art Museum of Bologna) (MAMbo).  It was about a 15 minute walk from our apartment in a part of town called Manifattura delle arti District (Factory of the Arts District).   It covers about 100,000 square metres.  The area was the city's port between the Renaissance and the 19th century and with its canals, was also the mercantile and manufacturing heart of the city until the end of the 17th century.   MAMbo was originally one of three museums that came under the aegis of the Galleria d'Arte Moderna of Bologna, founded in 1925.  MAMbo came into existence as a separate entity for  contemporary and experimental art in the 1990s.  It moved to new premises within the shell of a former industrial bakery (built 1914), which opened in 2007. The museum did not open until 2:00 p.m. on Thursdays, so we went for a walk in th...

Wednesday October 26 was yet another beautiful day-- sunny with a high of 25C.  We caught the 11:05 a.m. train to Ferrara and arrived at 11:42.  A quick trip in a very nice train. Ferrara is located about 44 km north of Bologna.  It is known for the buildings erected by its Renaissance rulers, the Este family, who governed for three centuries.  Ferrara has been designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site due to its beauty and cultural importance.  It has a population of around 132,000.   Its historic centre has a mix of medieval and Renaissance Italy architecture.  It is a beautiful city and our walk in from the train station was very peaceful. Walking into town A magpie with beautiful blue tail Our first stop was a visit to the Museo Nazionale dell'Ebraismo Italiano e della Shoah ( MEIS ) (National Museum of Italian Judaism and the Shoah). Outside the museum Poster for the permanent exhibit- Jews, An Italian Story There is an interesting story behin...