This view was taken standing in the magnificent Galleria entrance and looking to the left.
What you are seeing is a covered pedestrian walkway which has retail outlets (ie: shops - some of which were closed, as this was a Sunday afternoon) on one side but is open on the other side. Note the lowered jade green sunblinds, as referenced in the narration of the previous image.
Before the pedestrianisation of the Piaza della Duomo this would have been the footpath and there was a road to the left. The covering of footpaths with arcades like this (albeit not always to such a grand design) is often done in Italy as it creates a pedestrian footpath which is sheltered from both the ferocious summer sun and the winter rains.
To preserve her anonymity the lady wearing blue has had her face pixillated.
E & OE. All images © copyright 2007 Simon P Smiler.
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