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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Europe 2010 Day 14 - Rimini - The Beach & City

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9 Oct 2010

Having covered San Marino in the morning and early afternoon, we were back in Rimini. Rimini is a popular beach holiday destination. We will visit the beach before moving towards the olden parts of the city to have a look at the Tiberius Bridge and the Arch of Augustus.

Heading to the beach before the sun sets.


On our way to the beach.


The beach is very wide and empty; bright sunny day but chilly winds...


The long and sandy beach of Rimini


The Adriatic Sea and beach! Not crowded in Autumn


Sailing in the distance





Tiberius Bridge over the Marecchia River, an Ancient Roman bridge (completed ~21 CE)


View from the bridge


The Tiberius Bridge is accessible to cars


Piazza Tre Martiri, used to be a Roman Forum in 268 BCE


The backside of The Arch of Augustus (27 BCE)


Front side of The Arch of Augustus (27 BCE)


Penne Mare e monti (Penne with prawns and mushroom)


Gargenelli al Granchio (with crab meat)

Enjoying our dinner at a not-so-busy-restaurant, this ends the "relaxing" part of our holiday. Our next major stop is the City of Florence (Firenze). On the way to Florence, we will be making a stop at Bologna, where the oldest university in the world is situated.

Check back for the next post soon.

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Europe 2010 Day 14 - San Marino

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9 Oct 2010

Setting off from Rimini, we will be making a day trip to San Marino this morning. A few days back, over breakfast with an old couple (also guests at the Venice B&B), one of them mentioned that he collects stamps; one of the unique stamps, which we should look out for, is the triangular-shaped stamps from San Marino.

Rimini was our entry point into the Most Serene Republic of San Marino. This bus stop opposite the main train station (in front of Burger King) was where we boarded the Bonelli bus.


€4 for a oneway ticket to San Marino. The ticketing lady appeared when the bus came. The ride to the City of San Marino is about an hour.


The historical centre and Mount Titano of San Marino is a UNESCO World Heritage site.


An aerial tramway connecting Borgo Maggiore (one of San Marino's town) to City of San Marino on Monte Titano.


P.le Calcigni. The bus bay at San Marino, just below the entrance into the historical center.


Panorama from above the bus stop


San Marino is a microstate and it is the longest lived republic in the world. It is not a European Union member but they are allowed to have their version of Euro coins. During our visit, these Euro coins are rare in circulation; we have not received any of them as change. But, they are available for sale at the souvenir stores!


Old medieval buildings


Museum of Torture


The National Museum, free entry.


Saint Agata, patron saint of San Marino, tortured by having her breasts cut off


Memorative coins


The Crossbow Federation's ballista range


View of Borgo Maggiore


Panorama of Borgo Maggiore from the cable car station


Airguns, there is no VAT here!


The ammunition looks too real


The Palazzo Pubblico (Government Building) in San Marino City.


Interior of the Palazzo


Coat of Arms - the iconic Three Towers of San Marino are depicted


The Hall of Council, the Greant and General council consists of 60 elected members chaired by two Captains Regent who are the executive and representative of the state. The painting is that of the apparition of Saint Marino in front of his people.


Basilica of Saint Marinus (left) and Chiesetta di San Pietro


A cross on a rock


A restaurant in between the basilica and first tower.


"We have a pizza man, everybody has a microwave" -- probably very true


Entrance to the first tower. The "Red Card" costs €4.50, allows entry to the first (the Guaita) and second (the Cesta) towers.


Within the compound of the first tower


First tower courtyard


Feeling dizzy looking down...


The narrow stairs up the tower


The second tower viewed from the first


Panorama of second tower


The two towers: the Cesta and Montale at the back.


The path to the second tower, the Cesta Fortress


Cesta Fortress, where the Museum of Ancient Arms is housed.


The third tower kept prisoners at the 6th storey without access


Rimini in a distance


The Guaita and Palazzo Pubblico. It's getting crowded!


Walking stick with holster for alcohol


Microwave pizza

We have spent about 4 hours covering the City of San Marino; pleasant town, nice stamps, but the towers can be a challenge to climb. It's time to head back to Rimini for a visit to the beach and city.

Check back for the next post soon.

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