Gateway (one of twelve) built in the Middle Ages
We left Norway, flew back to Milan and stayed the night near the airport, as in the morning we were to take the fast train to Bologna. We arrived there early afternoon and walked across to our hotel directly opposite the station. This location was perfect for our planned trips to Venice and Rimini in the next two days.
As we only had two afternoons to spend exploring Bologna, we missed out on so much, as I found when putting this post together. We walked up and down Via de Indepenza for about three hours and the following is what we saw.
Ancient Roman ramparts and the modern
Parco della Montagnola entrance
Bologna is famous for its arcades (or porticos) and has 38km of them, built to shelter people from rain, snow and sun. Our friend, Alberto, advised that when walking around Italy to look up, as we will miss a lot if we don't.
Look up!
Piazza del Nettuno
Bronze fountain by Giambologna (1565)
Palazzo Re Enzo on the right
Palazzo Re Enzo on the right
I wish I'd known what this building was all about; I would have gone inside! I magnified the photo when I arrived home (hubby was the photographer this day), read the sign over the door and went looking. The photo below was taken by Gabriele which I found on her flickr photo page.
The floor is a giant showcase
featuring Roman and Etruscan relics
Bologna also has the oldest university in the world, founded in 1088.
Photo: Wikipedia
Photo: Wikipedia
Tower del'Arengo (1259)
A belltower used to call
the people in emergencies
Possibly 180 towers were built in the 12th and 13th centuries.
by Arnaldo Zocchi (1862-1940)
Italian national hero
Click to read about his life - a great read!
I do wish we'd had more time there. The next morning we walked across the road and caught a train to Venice; I can tell you that will be a short story as it was bucketing down!
8 comments:
If that is 'missing a lot', I can't imagine what seeing everything would be like. The buildings and colors are beautiful. Thank you so much for sharing!
I'll have to read about Giuseppe!
alaine it's extraordinary what's inside a small part of europe. blows my mind actually! steven
SC...Steven, you just want to keep the camera clicking to take it all home and cherish. Giuseppe's story is amazing.
Steven...it really is mind blowing; you're ever aware of the thousands of stories under every footstep.
Hi Alaine, I really enjoyed your post and, in fact, it has inspired me to pinch the idea and do a comparison piece, which will publish just after midnight (fingers crossed). Thanks!
Derrick...thanks. I was beginning to think it was a mistake to do a travel post as yours is only the 3rd comment in as many days!! I notice that it is nearly midnight in London, so I'm looking forward to reading yours very soon!
Hi Alaine,
The architecture is really something there...I love the contrast in the old and new right next to each other. I'm curious to know if you speak Italian. My sister and I have begun taking Italian tutoring to help prepare for our trip. I hear most everyone there speaks English.
Thanks for the tour. I'm getting excited for my future trip after seeing your photos.
Hope your new year is off to a good start. xo
Wonderful plazas depicted here and history. Bologna's university is a jewel.
Post a Comment