Bologna

I left early to get the 08.30 train. During the nght snow had fallen & everything looked very pretty. Even going through Mestre, not the prettiest of places with snow on the trees it looked magical.

First I took a bus tour around the city, got my bearings and some information of Bologna's history. We went out of town & up the hill to get an overview - had the weather been better it would have been clearer. Here there were parks & in summer a lovely area.

Origionally Bologna had 120 towers. Some built for security others to anoy their neighbour. My tower is taller than your tower! Now there are only about 12 & not all straight. You can, I didn't climb the 600 steps of the taller of these two towers.

Here is the Church of San Pietro in the main square - this is the peoples chuch & does not to "The Church" (Catholic)" Inside on a fresco is an interpretation of Mohammed. After the twin towers three weeks later a bomb was left by the chapel that contains tis image. it was found & made safe.

Bologna is also famous for its covered walkways there are 45 miles of them. All are different as each was built by the property owner. They enlarged upstairs to accommodate more students. There are over 100,00 living here - the oldest university in the world.

Cafes can spill out onto the covered areas and pay not extra rates as they own the land & have to allow public right of way.

This is one of the oldest extensions, made from wood. For safety reasons the town council wanted them built of brick.



This is the piazza with the seven churches. All are interlinked.

Bologna in Emila Romagna is renowned for its food. Parmesan cheese, Parma ham, salamis etc.

Parmesan cheesesDuring the afternoon I took a 2 hour walking tour around the city and I was the only client so it was exceptional value for E13.