Europe 2010 Day 15 - Bologna

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10 Oct 2010

Leaving the relaxing town of Rimini, we head to Florence by train today. Since we were required to switch trains at the Bologna interchange, we have decided to spend a few hours around town -- to visit the world's oldest modern university and to have a taste of the spaghetti Bolognese in Bologna!

Bologna Centrale bag deposit -- convenient for a short stopover in the city. €4 per bag for first 5-hours of deposit.


Walking away from the train station towards the town centre. Porta Galliera. Most other buildings or monuments in Bologna are tall, big and red.


Via dell'Independenza, on our way to the Piazza Maggiore


San Pietro Metropolitan Church, located a short distance from Piazza Maggiore


Inside of San Pietro Metropolitan Church


Approaching Piazza Maggiore, the first notable object we saw was the fountain at Piazza del Nettuno.


A closer look at the fountain


Palazzo d'Accursio (or Palazzo Comunale), previously the city's town hall at Piazza Maggiore


Panorama of Piazza Maggiore. Left to right: Basilica of San Petronio, Palazzo dei Notai, Palazzo d'Accursio, Palazzo del Podestà


We left Piazza Maggiore and arrived at the Basilica of San Domenico where the remains of St. Dominic is buried. Started in 1219 CE as a chapel.


More reddish buildings. Heading towards the university now.


Manual labour...


Piazza Santo Stefano, flea market


Asinelli Tower


The San Vitale Gate down the street


Along the streets outside of the University of Bologna, the world oldest "modern" university.


The university area smells of foul urine everywhere. Feeling rather disappointed, we quickly left the area without much exploration.


The iconic Two Towers of Bologna; the shorter Garisenda (front) looks more slanted than Asinelli (behind). Believed to have been built between 1109 to 1119 CE


Asinelli Tower is really really tall, watch out for pick-pockets and thieves around this area!


Climbing up the tall Asinelli tower; the Garisenda from one of the few windows


Closer look at Azzoguidi and Prediparte Towers


Piazza Maggiore and Piazza Nettuno


Panorama down Via Rizzoli from Asinelli Tower


We ate lunch here, "No drink is IMPOSSIBLE!", so says the waiter. Took a long time for them to make two pasta dishes


Gragmigna with Carbonara sauce, and ...


Tagliatelle with Bolognese sauce.


Back at the Bologna main train station to catch our 3.23pm to Firenze S. M. Novella (Florence), about 37mins of journey.

Summing up, the short trip to the city of Bologna was rather "memorable". Having faced a pick pocket during the climb up the Asinelli tower, to add to the distress of the day, the handle of our luggage had to give way.

Check back for the next post soon.

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