Daily Gathering

The older gentlemen that always meet up at Piazza Maggiore to discuss politics. They're quite entertaining to watch. In the background is the outdoor movie screen that was set up for summer nights.

Nettuno nella notte

A view of the Neptune fountain at night.

The Anatomical Theater cont...

Sorry it's not a very clear image, but here are some of the sculptures on the ceiling.

The Anatomical Theater

Sharing some insight about the ceiling sculptures with a friend. The wooden sculptures represent the different zodiac signs and were salvaged from the original theater after it was destroyed in the war. I'll try and find a picture of the sculptures.

Poor Horses...

Something you'd rarely find here in the U.S. I never got up the courage to try horse...I think I like them too much when they're alive to try eating one. :)

Protests at the University

Graffiti from the sit-in at the university to oppose raising tuition fees. 

Another view of the two towers, this time at night. =)

Hello!

 Sorry for the lack of photos...I was living in Bologna for the year, and now I've returned home. I still have some photos to post, but there won't be an infinite amount.  If you like my photos though, I have another photo-blog if you'd like to check it out at:  http://throughmyuniqueeyes.blogspot.com/

Thank you for your interest in my tour of Bologna, it's been fun!

 

   Kelly

Fish market

One of the long-standing fish markets just off of Piazza Maggiore.

Summer sunset

A view out my kitchen window one evening as the sun was setting. It looked like a painting.  =)

Piazza Santo Stefano

Looking down Via Santo Stefano. The piazza is filled at night during the summer with university students sitting in large groups, drinking, playing guitar and talking. The church at the center of the piazza is in fact 7 churches all connected to each other.

Books

The outdoor section of a bookstore just off of Piazza Maggiore. 

Inside the university..

  One of the statues that decorate the stairwells within the Italianistica department of the university.  The university is spread throughout the older sections of the city with the majority of the departments residing on Via Zamboni, which is filled 24/7 by students.

San Petronio

The front of San Petronio. It's hard to capture the enormousness of this building, but it is one of the top ten largest churches in the world and would have been even larger if the construction hadn't stopped on it. The church was supposed to have side chapels so the entire building would have had the form of the cross, and it would have been even larger than Saint Peter's Basilica in Rome. However, the Pope Pius IV stopped this by ordering buildings to be constructed close by on either side of the church.  I'll try and get a picture of the side where you can see where the extension was supposed to be.

Hidden Canals

One of the canals that run through Bologna.  There are still quite a few subterranean waterways that originate from the small rivers that used to run through the city.  Most are underground, but there are still some spots, like this one, where you can see the canal when it  reaches the surface.

On the steps of San Petronio

Sitting on the steps in front of San Petronio on a beautiful, sunny day.  On the right, you can see the marble finishing of the church, but what you can't tell is that it only goes up halfway. This church was built by the people of Bologna and has a very rich history. Unfortunately, the community ran out of money at the time, and the church remains unfinished to this day. 

Ave Maria

You can find these all around Bologna, in the most unlikely of places.  This one is on the side of an old apartment building right near Piazza Maggiore. 

Giardini Margherita

The largest park in Bologna, I Giardini Margherita are just south of the city center. It's a great place to come and relax for the day. On a sunny day it is filled with young people resting, juggling, playing guitar and families. There are games and bounce houses for children and plenty of little hidden areas to discover. 

San Luca

The Sanctuary of San Luca sits up on a hill overlooking the hills behind downtown Bologna. It's a beautiful walk, especially on a sunny day, and the inside of the church is wonderful as well.

Giant Pillow Fight

Yesterday there was a massive pillow fight in Piazza Maggiore. It was a flash mob type thing where everyone shows up with their pillow well-hidden, and at a designated time everyone starts beating each other. It was a pretty fun event and the fighting lasted for over an hour. The piazza was left covered in feathers and fluff.  =)