Bologna got its first street numbers in 1794 and its first street signs in 1801. Only a few of the street signs survive, but there are many of the 18th century building numbers. This post gives the historic background and shows you what to look for.
Bologna University has numerous museums. One that has long been a favourite with local children is the Geological and Paleontological Museum, as it has a number of dinosaur skeletons. The nucleus of the museum dates back to the 16th century when Ulisse Aldrovandi, a professor of natural history, amassed what was at the time the... Continue Reading →
A little under four kilometres ( two and a half miles) from the centre of Bologna is the 17th century neo-classical Villa Aldrovandi Mazzacorati. It’s home to both a pristine 18th century private theatre and a tor soldier museum.
These days, the only commonly seen wax models are at museums of the Madam Tussaud’s variety, featuring famous people. This museum shows many examples of how incredibly accurate wax models formed the basis of anatomical instruction and research for centuries.
Along with most European cities, Bologna has interesting examples of Art Nouveau architecture from the early 20th century. In this post, I point out out some of the best known locations that you can keep an eye out for during your visit.
Walking around Bologna, you’ll come across many examples of artful wrought iron, from the medieval period through to Art Nouveau. It’s yet another layer of interest to add to your Bologna visit.
Bologna's Davia Bargellini Museum houses an interesting painting collection as well as a fascinating array of applied arts objects, including an intact detailed 18th century doll's house. Entry is free.
Visitors to Bologna enjoy walking around what is described as Italy's second largest medieval centre after Venice. However, buildings of many architectural styles can also be seen in the city. This post looks at a sample of those built in the period from the 1920s until World War 2, as well as some art works... Continue Reading →
Saint Catherine of Bologna died almost 600 years ago, but her intact body can be visited along with objects from her life in the church of Corpus Domini. She was a mystic, artist, musician, author and abbotess of the monastery of Poor Clares.
Bologna’s cathedral, San Pietro, can be found in Via d’Indipendenza. A climb up inside the 1,000 year old bell tower gives you a wonderful view of the city and an opportunity to see the massive bells. Look for the sign out the front on weekends.
he Orto Botanico is a quiet corner of Bologna where you can go to enjoy the greenery or perhaps get away from the growing tourist crowds for a picnic.
I wonder what a city's statues can tell us about its history and culture? In this post I look at a selection of Bologna's statues from ancient times to today.
In this post I look at the meaning of the mysterious war time signs you will see wandering around Bologna.,
By the time he was in his late twenties, Gioacchino Rossini had left the poverty of his early life behind and had become one of the most famous and wealthiest composers in Europe. By the age of 39, he had almost ceased composing and had largely withdrawn from the world. My post looks at locations in Bologna redolent with his memory.
A visitor to Bologna is likely to come across one or both of two groups of curious elevated tombs while wandering around the city. Who do they commemorate and why were they accorded such prominent recognition ? The answer lies with the origins of the University and importance and wealth of its law professors.
The large vintage market is held in the historic town of Lugo twice a year. The town is also home to a museum commemorating the Italian World War 1 ace Francesco Barraca.
A combination of Roman ruins, museums and seafood make Rimini an interesting day trip form Bologna.
Bologna was a sizable town in ancient Roman times. There are remains from this this period but they are mostly hidden away and not obvious. come with me on a tour of some of them.
Little visited by tourists, Mogntagnola park is Bologna's oldest, It's home to some attractive 19th century sculptures and 200 year old plane trees.
Elisabetta Sirani was a highly talented and prolific Bolognese painter and printmaker who lived for all too short a time in the mid 17th century. She paved the way for future generations of female artists through the establishment of a women's art school and by breaking through many of the barriers to women of that time.
Bologna on Foot 