Cesare Mattei built a fantasy castle just outside of Bologna. There he concocted his cure for cancer.
Author: Paul's Blogs
The Fountain of Neptune
Along with the ‘twin towers’, the fountain of Neptune has for centuries been a symbol of Bologna. It’s recently undergone a remarkable restoration.
La Certosa – Bologna’s Fascinating Monumental Cemetery.
The Certosa of Bologna gives a fascinating insight into the changing styles of Italian art over 200 years as depicted in funerary memorials.
Michelangelo in Bologna
Due to a set of coincidences, Bologna is home to four small works by Michelangelo completed when he was just 20 years old.
Farmacia Toschi – an Ancient Bolognese Pharmacy
The beautifully preserved Toschi pharmacy in Bologna gives us a glimpse into the 18th century.
The Towers of Bologna
Bologna’s medieval towers, long symbols of the city, have many tales to tell.
Music and Bologna – Theatres and Memories
Bologna has a rich visible musical history as well as a vibrant performance culture.
Music and Bologna – Museums, Concerts and Art Works
Bologna has a rich visible musical history as well as a vibrant performance culture.
Antica Drogheria della Pioggia – A Traditional Italian Grocery
The Antica Drogheria della Pioggia is an old style Italian grocery store and a fascinating place to shop.
Martin Luther in Bologna
Does this long covered up fresco in Bologna contain a portrait of Martin Luther?
The Etruscans and Bologna
Bologna was founded by the mysterious Etruscans and museums and ruins in the area give us a glimpse into their culture.
The Meridian Line of San Petronio
Come and watch the sun’s image cross the meridian line in Saint Petronio and discover an astronomical instrument from the past.
The Walls of Bologna
Discover the stately remains of Bologna’s three sets of walls.
Santo Stefano – Bologna’s Mystical Past
Santo Stefano is Bologna’s spiritual centre with a history stretching back to a Roman times.
Historic Shop Signs in Bologna
The historic shop signs of Bologna are a window into the past as well as a rich resource for those interested in old fonts.
The Descent of the Madonna of San Luca
Once a year the icon of the Madonna of San Luca returns to the city for a week in a colourful procession then returns up the hill in a people’s procession.
Bologna on Foot 