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What to see
The
Two Towers: As a medieval city, Bologna has many characteristic
buildings, towers and streets.
Piazza Maggiore: This is the main square of Bologna. I've lived in Bologna since I was born but still everytime I see Piazza Maggiore I find it's simply wonderful. There is the church of San Petronio. Although the biggest church of the city, it is not the cathedral: the bishop's church is San Pietro. San Petronio was the patron saint of the city. The church was built in the late gothic period and was left incomplete. If finished, it would have been the biggest catholic church in the world, even bigger than S.Peter in Rome. But of course this couldn't happen: S.Peter in Rome had to be the biggest, because it was the most important, where the Pope was, and moreover there was a lack of funds.
The palaces on Piazza Maggiore: this also an exercise to see if I remeber the names of each one! In front of San Petronio is Podestà palace, then on the left is Comunale palace also called d'Accursio palace, that is where the City council of Bologna is, then on the right is Banchi Palace. Also on the left of San Petronio is Notai palace. Ok....what did I win? ... :-) Piazza del Nettuno: (Neptune's square) - Just behind Piazza Maggiore is Piazza del Nettuno, whre is the fountain with the statue of god Neptune, made by Gianbologna.
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Mercanzia Palace: It was built from the desire of the merchants of Bologna, who wanted to show how much they earned.
Santo Stefano e il complesso delle sette Chiese: (the seven churches) - From Mercanzia's palace starts Santo Stefano street and it opens on one of the most beautiful and romantic places of Bologna: Santo Stefano's square. There are seven churches all next to another that create a complex. One of the places you can't afford to miss if you are in Bologna.
San
Francesco: One among the most beautiful churches in Bologna. San
Francesco is the first Gothic church in Bologna: its construction started in
1236 and was finished in 1263. The interior leaves you without breath from its
beauty. Unfortunately I haven't got a picture now, but I'm going to look for one
as soon as possible.
San Domenico: The origins of the church date back to the death of the Saint in 1221. In front of the church is the big and beautiful San Domenico's square. San Luca: The sanctuary is linked to one of the city's ancient door through a long portico (San Luca's portico). Built between 1674 and 1739, 3 km long, it includes 666 arches. In San Luca the most important thing is the painting of the Virgin Mary, object of the devotion by the bolognaise.
San Pietro: The initial church was romanic, then it was reconstructed several times. San Pietro is the cathedral of Bologna (the most important church) and it's built in baroque style. ________________________________________________________________
Shopping: The best streets for shopping are: Via Indipendenza (the street that goes towards Piazza Magggiore), where a lot of clothes shops for young people are, Via Rizzoli and Via Ugo Bassi. If your wallet is a bigger size, then I recommend you Via D'Azeglio, Via Farini and Cavour's gallery, where are all the most famous boutique of italian stylists such as Armani, Versace, Gucci and so on...
"I
chose passion, I chose to discover the world, I chose life..."
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