July 15 Ancona Italy

 We had originally planned to take an excursion to Assissi today but we decided it was too hot for a 4 hour bus ride and 3.5 hour walk around the town on the side of a mountain. So we walked around Ancona.

 It seems that Ancona has plenty of churches. The top church is also at the top of a hill -- Duomo di San Ciriaco. We're going to walk up there.

As we leave the pier and head into town we pass Chiesa di Santa Maria della Piazza.  I think.

We got lucky climbing the hill up towards the cathedral. As we started up a staircase there was a public toilet at the first landing, and inside the building was an elevator that probably went up 50-80 feet. The indicator panel said we went up 4 floors but the glass doors of the elevator showed us that it was more than ten feet between floors. Anyway, a good deal.

This is the Archeological Museum. It seems to be surrounded by Roman structures, primarily the ancient amphitheater. 

Chiesa dei Santi Pellegrino e Teresa

Roman excavation. None of the sights were open for visiting, it was picture taking through the chain link fence.

Chiesa di San Gregorio Illuminatore. I'd like to point out that we're passing these churches during a half mile climb to the BIG church.

The amphitheater

An indication of the steady climb we had. Fortunately you can see that it was shady for the most part.

The Duomo

The bell tower to the right of the Duomo

Inside the cathedral. Over on the right I later discovered a sign that said (in glyphs) no picture taking. So this is the only one.

From the Duomo's commanding position atop the hill you have a great view of the harbor. There's a cruise ship under construction at Fincantieri Ancona Shipyard, but I don't know who it will belong to. They've launched about two ships a year for the past couple of years.

A panorama from the Doomo's tiny parking lot

Nautica

We walked into the shopping area of downtown. This probably is Chiesa di San Francesco alle Scale.

A gate in the city wall, Arco del Rastrello. The walls are long gone but the gate remains as an attachment to one of the buildings.

Chiesa di San Domenico at the head of Piazza del Plebiscito

In the shopping area, the Fontana del Calamo.

Fontana del Cavalli

The bell tower of Chiesa del Santissimo Sacramento. Right across the street from our ship, but we had to walk 500 meters north to enter the pier area, show our passports and ship cards, then walk 500 meters back to the ship. While dodging the traffic to the ferry docked next to our ship.