Many visitors to Bologna assume that the massive basilica of San Petronio in Piazza Maggiore is, given its prominent position, the city’s cathedral. However, the cathedral church of San Pietro is a few hundred metres away in Via dell’Indipendenza where it has stood in one form or another for over a thousand years. The baroque... Continue Reading →
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 By the age of 39, he had almost ceased composing and had largely withdrawn from the world.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.
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.
The area around Bologna's Piazza Maggiore has been the centre of the city at least from Roman times when the forum was located here. The Roman ruins you can visit under the Sala Borsa library include those of the basilica, the centre of civic life. For more on this topic, please see my post Ancient... Continue Reading →
One of Bologna's nicknames is "Bologna la Rossa" or "Bologna the Red". Red is the characteristic colour of a city built of brick with terracotta used for roofing as well as rich architectural detailing and art works.
A visit to the Palazzo Poggi Museum will give you glimpse into the world of Bologna's University in the 18th century.
Bologna boasts Italy's longest set of porticos with some 90 kilometres of covered walkways.
Ever wondered what's behind the high walls of Italian cities? Come and see some of Bologna's hidden gardens behind those high walls.
Wandering around the porticos of Bologna, you'll encounter a huge range of interesting door knockers, adding interest to your rambles.
There are a number of pleasant walks in the hills at Bologna's doorstep. Along the way enjoy the views and admire ancient frescoes.
A visit to Bologna's antiques market is a must if you're lucky enough to be in town on a weekend when it's held.
Discover Bologna's canal in a pleasant walk that includes a museum and an out of the way Trattoria.
Cesare Mattei built a fantasy castle just outside of Bologna. There he concocted his cure for cancer.
Along with the ‘twin towers’, the fountain of Neptune has for centuries been a symbol of Bologna. It’s recently undergone a remarkable restoration.
Bologna on Foot 