More than a week already since I came back from my early summer road trip. Five flights, four countries, six cities, and hundreds of euros later, I can at long last settle down back into my routine and try to make sense of those pretty nice two weeks, starting with Bologna.^^
My trip didn't start in the most relaxing manner, since I had to catch my flight in Alicante, which means a 5 hours bus ride in the middle of the night. Therefore, I started my trip in the same manner as I finished it: exhausted! However, Bologna has more than a couple of things to keep you on your toes and help you shrugg off any tiredness.
Of course, the main landmark of the city is still the Asinelli tower (and its little sister the tower Garisenda).
With a height of 98 meters, this medieval skyscraper is still the highest building of the city, and the crazy thing is that it was not even the highest one or a lonely oddity: in the middle-age in Bologna they had as much as 80 (!) towers of that kind sticking out like this in the air, giving the city an air of Medieval Manhattan.
And of course, the view from up there is outstanding.
Bologna is a city of culture, noticeable first and foremost with the huge humbers of young people, students, and Erasmus strolling around the city or riding their bikes (bikes are everywhere and much more convenient than cars - even though the bus system is pretty efficient and quick).
The heart of the city is of course the Piazza Maggiore, where you can see the other landmarks of the city, like the statue of Neptune, the Palazzo del Podesta or the Palazzo d'Accursio.
Fun fact: the Cathedral of Bologna was designed to be even bigger than the Pope's one in Rome, so the Pope made his best to ruin the plans. That's why the cathedreal looks half-finished, having only half of the marble facade it was supposed to have. The superior half reveals the bricks and mortars innards of the building.
I particularly enjoyed this strange set of sculpture in the shadow of the Palazzo d'Accursio:
And even more this side of the Palazzo, with the huge number of windows from all size and style:
Very close to the Piazza Maggiore you can find the Museo Civico Arqueologico which is a welcome haven when the temperature is getting high, and much more quiet than the surrounding buildings and streets. It has a great collection of stones and sculptures from Roman time:
And an even bigger and more impressive collection of Egyptian pieces (including cats and crocodiles mummies!):
Last but not least, I have to mention the Sala Borsa, a university library at the entrance of the Piazza Maggiore, which is the perfect place to chill out with Wifi and espresso after a long day of walking. God I love libraries like that!
In conclusion, a great city and a great time, and so central that you can reach Florence, Roma, Verona or Modena in no time thanks to its train station. Consider it next time you go to Italy! As for me, next destination was Ferrara, which I will tell you more in the next post!
What beautiful architecture! You got to see so many places, that’s so awesome :)
Thanks! :) Yeah, Europe is really nice for that :)
So beautiful, the museum looks incredible!
Ooooh it is! :-) It's just a couple of pics, but i have much more!
Hi @herverisson! Wich place of this trip did you like the most? :-)
I liked every city for a different reason :) But there is no place I adored above everything else
Oh god! You know I love Italy!!!!
That does not surprise me. Who could NOT love Italy? :)
It really is a very interesting trip, I like the areas where you went especially museums can appreciate the art and learn more about those cultures of those countries, excellent images! :)
Thanks @gvand! Glad you liked them!
:) a perfect travel post. I am glad that you enjoy this summer :)
Traveling 4 countries really wants a solid energy!
congratulations. and I see that you take great photos :)
Haha I just chose the best pics, but I have hundreds more which are not that good :) Tesekkur ederim!
Bologna is really a very nice and interesting city. Some years ago I was traveling a lot in Italy. Also in the northern Italian region of Emilia-Romagna. Good friends of mine live in Rovigo.
Many years ago I also spent a lot of my professional life in this area buying Italian ceramics. Oh ... now nice memories are awakened.
Also Ferrara is a great city ... I'm looking forward to your reports. Now I really feel like traveling once again through Italy.
Thanks for the great pictures and the explanation.
I wish you a fantastic day 🙋
Ferrara post has just arrived! Hope you'll enjoy it!
I really enjoyed reading your post 😊 the photos are great!
Deciding where to go ... when you're in Bologna ... was really not easy. There are too many beautiful and interesting places in Emilia-Romagna. But maybe you will travel through Italy again ... then you have other places to watch 😉
You seduce me again with views of Italy!
Today I finally got out summer sandals from the closet))) I bought them in Bolonia! I saw your post and remembered about it) There's a very good leather shoes of local production sold!
And we have already discussed with you the most delicious pasta in the world of bolognese;) mmmmm............
haha yeah, I ate a lot of awesome food in Bolonia... Lasañas, and also polpetine, mmm... So good that I forgot to take pictures of the plates haha! :D
And I have a photo of how I eat bolognese ))))
haha i'd love to see that! :)
Mmm))) This is a secret photo))) I eat there :)
When I make a post about Bologna, I will publish it maybe ...