Rotunda A Mare

Senigallia has a brilliant piece of architecture that is a community center and gathering space built on a pier suspended above the water. It is the only one of its kind in Italy. Jim and I heard an icredible free classical piano concert in the interior performance/gallery space which probably holds tops 200 people. The exterior is magnificent with a elegant promanade that leads to the structure from the street as well as the gentle curved pedestrian walkways that surround it. There is always an event of some sort at the Rotunda, as I said it is a community center. It is very difficult to find a time when the Rotunda is quite but we got lucky one evening so I took some fun photo's to share and to remember the beautiful sunset. Senigallia is an old Roman fortress that was built between two rivers that emptied into the sea. The ancient connection is still there and the Rotunda is an unmistakable tribute to the people's love affair with the sea, in Senigallia it literally feeds them. The fishing boats come in about 7 am and if you get up early enough you can get your fish for the day while they are still flapping. There are little stands for the fisherman to sell their wares on the pier and I discovered this is one of the hot spots in the early morning. Anyone who knows me realizes going to a fish market at 7 am is a challenge but I just had to see this slice of life and yes, I did. I am working up to scaling and cleaning but just not there yet so no crawly or flapping sea things in paper bags for me from the fishermen. Jim has a relationship with the fish lady at the end of the pier she will at least clean out the inside but charges a little more. Valerie (we are on a first name basis) takes over when the fishermen leave at 7:30 and she is open until 11:30. She is also very helpful in telling us how to cook things we have no idea what to do with. We have been so thankful for people like her who we will miss for those small bits of kindness we have found here. Still trying to figure out where we will find fresh fish back home.... any ideas?