Bologna - a day trip from Piacenza

  • My first trip to Italy

During the first trip to Italy, in this trip I have been visited three cities including Milano, Piacenza and Parma. Actually I have been staying for a long time with my friend, his name is Nam. He is studying in Milan University of Architecture, however the campus of Architecture is located at Piacenza, so in order to save some money, I have visited him and stayed with him for a while.

Of course, I would not stay in just one city, but I have travelled around to visit other cities in Northern Italy.

Today I will show you my time in Bologna, the city with classical charm and beautiful view from the towers.

Now the moment to continue discovering new things of the city and my way was going to know one of the best kept secrets of Bologna,

  • Whether or not that looks like Venezia?

When I saw it on my tourist map, I told myself that I had to go to know the place, just after passing through the market area of the city, turning towards the right hand and then crossing the track will find a line of people who are looking at what could be a gap. Do not hesitate to approach there! Since I assure you will find something wonderful from the city of Bologna.

Piccola Venizia - Small Venice

When you pass through these gates you will find two views, the two are very beautiful, the one in the left hand is without a wall and transports you to one of the best views of the ancient canals that Bologna once had and even came to be Known also as the Piccola Venezia or small Venice in the Spanish language.

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Just to your left of that small street you will find a square where you can see the wonderful view of one of the water channels of Bologna, this place is known as canale of Reno and is part of the rest of the city of Bolognia when it was Walled, because I tell you that Bologna in its medieval times was a city that remained walled for its protection and in this channel the inhabitants came to wash in ancient times of life of the city, on the other hand to the right hand of the square They will be able to find a small plaque with the name and history of the place however note that this review is only in Italian So if you do not come previously informed like I did!

I recommend you that when you are in this part of the city take a jump so that you can know it as it is truly worth it and is a clear vestige of what Bologna had in the past with its channels.

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Head to the Theater Square:

After walking the canal was time to continue moving and continue my journey towards what would be the university area Bologna wanted to know the library of the city that I had been told was one of the most beautiful and deserved to be seen so I started to walk around the area that would be known in Bologna as the university area, and for a moment I tell you that I felt teleported to a country of Spanish language and to be more precise to Spain country that I do not yet know but the Spanish accent in Unmistakable, I listened to so many but so many students talking in the language of Cervantes walking the streets, Indeed there was no doubt that Bologna is the Mecca of Erasmus students there were a lot of boys speaking in the Spanish language walking down this street near what would already be the university.

I wanted to keep walking so I went near an area where there were many restaurants of all kinds and for all tastes, there were kebab stalls, Chinese food, indu food and Italian food . Which do you think I chose?Well nothing more and nothing less than something very simple I bought a panini that cost me only three euros and it was a long loaf that I had inside ham bathed with a bit of mortadella cheese, there if the restaurant was a food stall to the step where if They wanted to be able to support you in any of its two little tables that were to the side of the position in the middle sidewalk.

It was there where I decided to make a small break here I share the photo of the facade of the place where I decided to buy the Italian pianini for only three euros:

There on that street known as via della moline was that I decided to take a short break to continue remembering everything I had seen in such a short time and had just spent an hour or less of my tour and already felt that I had seen a lot of the city.

After that, I found myself walking after another three minutes to a square where all the students from the University of Bologna were sitting , some were sitting in their square talking and others were drinking some beers and others simply checking their Cell phones in that same square also found the facade of one of the theaters of the city, the truth that I did not enter the theater I could only contemplate it from the outside and the special thing of the place is that for the moment there was a bit of classical music thanks to the Speakers strategically located in their corridors overlooking the street, So all this sound was mixed between the students and the Theater there was that again I decided to make a short break to hang from the free internet I have to be a student of the university and see if I was on the right path besides seeing my mail a little Electronic and answering some messages that had pending of this day.

  • Palazzo Poggi:

If you continue walking after passing the square where the theater is located you will arrive at a museum known as the Poggi palazzo here three museums work from which I tell you that one is free, another if you are a student from Bologna as it was my case is Totally free otherwise you must pay 5 euros for the entrance, the third if I could not enter as it was about to close.

The Palazzo Poggi is one of the monuments where the history of science academy took place, there at your entrance you will be able to find a commemorative plaque of the place and in truth I tell you that I received so much information that after leaving there and to my Head was a little tired because I felt that I had received a gun information on different aspects and not necessarily related to the university or with Bolognia but talking about many other things, so if you come to live in Bologna and want to tour this palace with All your time the truth that I think that if you want to see it with minimal calm it will take you about 5 hours to make yourself guided and tour each of its rooms.

And so it was that I entered the Palazzo Poggi initially thinking that there was also the library there I will confess that I pass by one of the doors where the entrance was not authorized so there a gentleman of the museum gave me the voice and He told me that the library was a few steps away but that it was already closed because it is Saturday only open until 13:00 hrs and at that time were almost at 13:30 hrs Bad luck mine!Anyway I left a moment and I started to see at least the entrance to be able to know where it was and return in another opportunity,

After that, I decided to go back to the Palazzo Poggi and, on the right hand side, you will find a small room that looks like a conference room, but the greatest thing about this place is to look at the ceiling, you will find there A true work of art of many friezes painting in it,

  • The room to Professor Carducci:

On the other hand coming out of this small in the front will also be able to find a small room related to a teacher who was called Carducci entering the room there is in the end a room known as the hall of Professor Carducci.

The full name of the professor is Giosue Carducci and they know how many years he spent teaching at the University of Bologna nothing more and nothing less than forty-two years worthy of a tribute! This was from the year 1860 to the year 1904 but that is not all that this magnificent professor of my university has had but also has received one of the Nobel prizes of literature just a year before his sensitive death. The Nobel Prize for literature received him in the year 1906.

Another interesting thing about this first room is that they are going to be able to find a representation of a model of the Palazzo on a small scale is also a work that deserved.

After visiting this room that had been like the introducer of all the wonderful things that I could find in her, I went up the stairs and I found one of the samples dedicated to the students, the entrance was free and they gave me a ticket To the entrance the history of these rooms are reflected to the life of the students in different parts of the history since like the university student was dressed for example I found a collection of very showy caps that used the students not only of here of Italy but also Of many but many parts of the world learned from ancient times visit it because as I say is free!

I was surprised that it was the only one that was in the museum at least in this part of the rooms dedicated tostudents having so many but so many people walking through the center of the city and its good streets had all the sqla for me alone so Somehow I could not complain, it was time to start enlisting my camera and start taking photos to share with each of you and know what interesting things you can see in the museum.

One of its first rooms was dedicated to the students' music and there I found an instrument or music machine that reminded me of the flintstones this machine was a roccola and it worked obviously many years ago, so it will basically work you had to place a pair Of coins in a little hole and there was like a repertoire of music so that you can listen to your craving, in my case the truth as I did not find any information guide of the rocket I decided to tighten on my own some of the buttons that were in Her and surprise! I was beginning to move to the past of the music that the students listened to had many compositions related to the registration party.

Another typical garment of university students were the famous tunas that today exist in almost all the universities of the world and its origins were coming from the country of the Iberian peninsula do you know which one I mean?For nothing more and nothing less than Spain.

In truth, here you will find a lot of information and I still do not finish telling you 10% of what I could find in my visit to Palazzo Poggi, well let's go!One of the things that also caught my attention is that there was a representation of how the students' rooms were in the last centuries nothing similar with the rooms that today can be found in Italy for Erasmus, although of course they may be small and That have a twin bed inside it, as you can see in the following image the things that students had in their room was only the most basic and indispensable.

After passing through this small room, I will tell you to pass by one of the rooms dedicated to women, as you will know in ancient times it was only men who could enjoy the right to study in universities, and since We are in Italy I focused only in this country since you could find a map with the names of the first women graduates from different countries in Europe does anyone know what the first university woman in Italy is called?

  • Laura M. Bassi

If you do not know how they called lose care I did not know either, so here in the museum I could discover the name of this woman was Laura M. Bassi and graduated here at the University of Bologna in the year 1732, taking account This was over 284 years ago as time passes, right? Time is happily advancing and giving the opportunity that all human beings have the right.

Inside this small room you will also find a television screen with an Italian woman explaining the life of Laura Bassi, but do not think that's all! Also they will be able to find in a showcase the diary of one of the first women who graduated in the university here in Italy, in addition to many cuts that the girl did to be remembering each one of its experiences of university stage, stage that to all We somehow mark us so after watching this newspaper I pass the next room.

I forgot to mention also that here are also the toilet facilities ha! For those who want to enter.

Well, I continue to tell you more of my wonderful walk to this show, since in the last room I went I found the theme of the students related to the war, how many young people have perished throughout history and have had to carry on a Hand one rifle and in the other a book to be able to live in its times since somehow these times have changed and here you can know without a doubt more of the history of these courageous students besides the last room that explains the general rebelliousness of The students and you find phrases in different languages like in French and Spanish.

  • Museo della Specola:

After that, I entered another museum inside the same palazzo Poggi this museum if it was a trip to different things for a moment I felt that it was in an art museum, for another time I had traveled to China, another that I had Traveled to an exclusive room with medicine, there were so many things.

When I approached this environment the girl who attended me told me that the cost was five euros, well it was then I approached the reception to pay them but when the gentleman asked me if I was a student from Bologna I said yes ! Then he said That I could enter for free!I just had to show my card and also take advantage of leaving my backpack in his wardrobe and thus enter the museum lighter, the only thing he said was that if the photos were authorized but could not be taken with flash, Inside me said that's no problem!I do not know what you think but in my case I think the best pictures come without a flash, it's a matter of taste and I had no problem respecting the rules of the museum.

One of the first places I could get to know about the museum was a library with an extensive collection of old books, there was also a globe that stood out in the entrance, along with a few stairs to the sides of the library wall. To understand that this library can still be used with a previous coordination with those of the museum, the majority of books that were there were quite old and of different languages.

This library not only kept books and its globe in the center but also among its walls were some collections of samurai suits such as the chest and helmet that they used in addition to the swords.

This museum was a box of surprises there was so much information and many things to see, after that I went to another room dedicated to the war and where I could find another globe brought in this case from Venezia les I recommend that you take a look at the information that is on the side of the globe to know more about its history.

This earth globe is 107 centimeters in diameter and was built by Vincenzo Coronelli and arrived just to this site in the year of 1992 nevertheless its construction dates from century XVII

In this part I also found a model of the walls that were used in the city to protect against invasions and also an exhibition of different boats representing small scales, it was there when I passed a tour guide with a child who might have Its 7 years, I was really happy to see that children are also part of the culture and that the tourism guide somehow suits their language so that the child can enjoy this experience, I went a little closer to hear what Was speaking the guide in his tour and yes the truth that explained to the child every detail of what could be seen in the museum in a very didactic and interesting way for him.

As I had no guide I kept walking on my own and taking thousands of photos to all the boats that I found in the museum in these rooms open seen in total as about 10 to 15 ships each different from the other.

  • The Asian art show:

After touring this part of the museum I still had more things to see, that's why I entered an exhibition of Japanese culture here I could find vases, drawings made by an artist known as Asai Ryoi, Ukiyo during1661 art Which can be found here are from woodcuts and were made approximately during the seventeenth century, even if they do not believe it! Well the paintings looked so well preserved that at first I thought they were just made by some Asian artist but great was my surprise when I read the year of their creation, simply surprising to the delight of our eyes.

After passing through the area of the Asian show I pass through a room dedicated to war again, here I could see more models and small cannons that adorned the walls of the room:

Then I went back through the museum reception to enter the other room, I forgot to tell them that usually the tours start from here but in my case I did it the other way round however if they start on the right or left The same is true because the environments and stories they will be able to find are totally different and are not intertwined, as the same museum worker told me to ask her where to enter to begin my tour of the museum.

And here is where you will find more art for those who are lovers of painting and Italian art, here they will be able to transport to a world of art and science because their rooms are loaded with many things Let's start telling them what That I could see in my tour in this next room!

Well, I will tell you that the first thing I could observe in this room were samples of different astonishing animals dissectedbesides remnants of them, there were shells of giant tortoises that looked like they were brought from Galapagos.

You could also see different sea shells and collections where you could learn about the different types of marine things that have been found in mankind.

There was a room also with contemporary painting known as Susanna where I found the image of a woman thoughtfully in the middle of the darkness as if she were a small light of hope in the midst of her own darkness.

And that is not all, when they go there as I have been repeating them please look at the part of the ceiling and be amazed by the wonder that can be found in it is simply spectacular. Do you think I have seen everything in the museum? Do not!There is still a lot more to do, continue to accompany me on this art, culture and science tour of the Palazzo Poggi.

Bohhhhh?

There is a part where I found a section of ornaments and souvenirs that you can buy, in truth I would not buy them because I do not usually buy many souvenirs for me but there was a pole that I found funny saying "Bohhhh?" One of the Italian gestures that I listen to most every day and when a person wants to tell you that he does not know what you are saying, the polo print said" Bohhh?( Without a doubt, a sentence that sums up what I could tell you if you have not yet come and are from the University of Bologna like me, take advantage of the fact that it is free and There are good works of art.

Let us continue with my visit to the museum, as I tell you, that the next room that I went through I was puzzled here was already entering what would be information rooms of children in the womb of their mothers and how they are forming in the process Of pregnancy as well as a showcase where you can see how babies are in the belly when they will be born with some malformation or when they are very likely to die when they leave the mother's womb for different reasons such as their position, umbilical cord and size Of your head or belly.

All this was a study for teachers and their students in the university, in the center of this could also find a representation of a childbirth done at medium scale so that they could be observed by their visitors, just at that moment I tell them that arrived A group and a guide began to explain in Italian language to the visitors I stood at the side to hear what I was saying and great was my surprise when he said that in front of this representation were all the materials that were used for To be able to open the vagina to the mothers during the delivery, the mere fact of looking at it caused a sensation to me to say "Wow" in my head in truth it is no doubt that the mothers suffer much to be able to give birth and throughout the history no Labor has been easy.

Other rooms that I could visit in the museum were the parts of the human body from a naked man and woman as well as a skeleton and the representation of a human with muscles, then also the area of the ceiling finely decorated continued giving this original touch to this Italian museum simply amazing!

There is one of the frescoes on the ceiling that caught my attention because I was carrying a man about to hit an animal that looked like a dog carrying three heads

And when I thought I had seen it all, it was not like that, because I tell you that one of the things that struck my attention was a woman lying down with her belly fully open and with organs that could see her name Of this representation is of the "Venerina bolognese" this is one of the replicas that became faithful to the one that is called "Venere do Medici" which is in another brand new Italian city I mean Firenze!Also known in Spanish as Florence.

I finished my tour in the Museum, after that I had received so much information that it was time to continue touring the city of Bologna which had many more surprises for me and everything In a single day!

After visiting the Palazzo Poggi I must confess that my head was full of information that could not retain all the wonderful that I had seen in such a short time, it was then time to relax a bit and walk through the center of the city, I decided to sit a little earlier in the theater square to see my map and continue to the center of the city.

Up to the tower of Bologna:

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https://www.selleitalia.com/sellaitalia/en/sketch-your-italian-itinerary/bologna-citta-bike-friendly/

Two Towers, we have been waiting a little bit to climb up the higher tower.

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The first time I had come to Bologna I had already known the medieval towers that are in its center however, I had not had the opportunity to climb to any of them, it was then that I approached where two towers are located which are icon Of the city I am referring to the Garisenda Tower which was built between the end of the 11th century and the beginning of the 12th century, the particular thing about this tower is that it initially had 60 meters, but precisely during the XIV century it was that I came to have the Height that today we can appreciate of 48 meters.

  • Garisenda Tower

The Garisenda tower is also famous for being cited by Dante Alighieri in his magnificent literary work the Divine Comedy, as in his Rhymes.

The towers are in themselves known as Asinelli and Garisenda, a Garisenda can not climb but to Asinelli if you can! It was for that reason that I encouraged to go up and to be able to enter to this enclosure I had to pay the amount of three euros, a tip that I can give them is that they do not come up with backpacks or with packages in hand since the space is narrow and it is the Same that is used both for those who are going up and for those who are going down so it can be a little uncomfortable if they do not take their precautions, they can enter with a small bag if they like to put some bottle of water and take it when they reach the high part To be the prize for having gone up!

This way to the tower took me about 15 minutes, they were people who were about to throw in the towel but it really is not that difficult also that Bologna is not in a city high but climb many stair treads anyway tired, do not worry if this may be your case then I tell them that in various parts of the route will be able to meet different floors so that you can take your time and then keep walking.

Something that surprised me was that one may think that only people who are fit can climb up. Big lie! They can also raise children with their own effort as well as pregnant women, my respects for the pregnant woman I saw climbing the stairs without stopping until reaching the top.

In way that is done in the Asinelli tower it is in a circular shape within it the road is lit by electricity and also as you get up'll also find that there are small little holes where you can go see how high you progress, besides also encounter different windows so you can be having a wonderful view of the city of Bologna, but do not get too excited when you see that when you get to the top you will see that it looks much better!

After climbing for almost fifteen minutes I told them, I got to the top and I found there with many other visitors taking photos of the amazing view of the city, as I had told them I went on a Saturday and in truth Bologna is full Of people walking in their streets, sitting in their square in the end, from the top they all looked like ants.

On the other hand, if there is something that stands out from the city are no doubt the medieval towers that exist in Bologna if they believed that you are two that I just mentioned are the only ones they will be able to find are in a serious error here in Bologna there are many more! The interesting thing about this view was that you could admire from the top of each one of them, and from the distance you could see another group of people at the top of a tower over the city of Bologna.

Although the sky was cloudy the view that I saw was wonderful and where even I could see the mountains in the distance and inside the city you could see the high part of the towers of the churches that are located in the center of The city also, without doubt something that my memory will never forget a renewal experience!

As this exit I realize alone, and in the upper part I told one of the visitors that will help me take a photo, this if I do not share them since I think that for you it is more interesting to see the view than to see my face! Haha There in the tower I stood looking at each side of the city of Bologna for about 15 minutes, plus I wanted to recover my energy to go down.

In truth I tell you, that the tower at the time of getting off as expected was much simpler however anyway it was not something that could do it fast since I was with many other people who were still going up and You will hear some that say " you are already in the middle" but in truth it was not so.

Another thing I learned was a saying that my flatmate told me was that if you are a student and still do not finish your university studies and decide to go up to the tower you are going to have bad luck I did not know! And now that I've gone up or mode, I'll have to think that this story is just a sarcastic part, I would not have missed the chance to at least climb one they are visiting in this incredible city.

After going down the tower I sat for a moment beside her and a woman came up to me in disguise, so that I could give her some alms, I had to say that she did not and fortunately the good thing was that she was not insistent and I leave it alone.

  • Museum of History of Bologna

Since there is very close another museum that is the museum of the history of the city of Bologna, I came to the door of the museum to find out how much the price was and I was informed that it was 11 euros, at that time did not know if Enter or not since as I had been in the Palazzo Poggi felt that I had already visited a museum quite wide and return to keep my senses attentive to this new tour I particularly think that was not the best time, so I decided to turn around And go to Neptuno Square to spend my last moments of visit in the city. It will be for the next visit to this museum!

Well I tell you that one of the most interesting things that is said of the city is that if you go through the part of walls and one is placed on one side looking at the wall and the other also and begin to speak can hear the sound of the other Without any problem, what I could know of this was that it was used by the religious so as not to have direct contact with the lepers, interesting!

I took a quick photo of this passage so that they can recognize it, but anyway, as the largest reference is located exactly on the side of the Neptune square where the fountain is, so you know if you go with friends do the test so that Check and tell me how it went.

  • Neptune Square

In Neptune Square there was also a man who was beginning to inflate water balloons in the air so that children and curious people like me, we took a picture of him, there were also some people who played music on the street to ask for collaboration.

The story of the source of Neptune also keeps his picturesque things of his creation as I tell you that the priest was said to oppose that the manly member of the sculpture is large in size because it was in front of a religious center was so The sculptor known by the name of Juan de Bolonia "paid attention" but I put it in quotation marks since it really depends a lot on the location where you are if you look at the source on the other side other than the one that is looking at the square Are going to realize that anyway it is seen that the god Neptune received a good proportion of his member did you know? Well, if you know, you know that you can go around the fountain so that you can check it.

After going through the main square I went to one of the roads on the side where I could also find an interesting sample of outdoor sculptures so that they can observe them, representing characters in different positions. The truth is not until when they will stay there but if they pass through Bologna I recommend that you take a jump here too so that you can visit.

There are also benches there so that they can sit and rest a little in front of these sculptures so that they can contemplate them.

Already at night I tell you that there was a light of blue that lit the source of Neptune giving a very nice touch, it was already one of the last images that I could take to the square by the way here also there is free wifi for those who want to connect without paying.

Finally it was time to return to my house of Piacenza so it was time to leave and go to the central station, on the way I met people who were playing drums in the street.

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The central station of Bologna is quite big the good thing is that they can also find many guides so that you can orientate yourself from where they can go astray and binary to go.

Thank you very much for reading this adventure, I hope you have enjoyed my trip to Bologna,

I think I have saved my photos taken in Bologna somewhere, I will update these beautiful photos as soon as possible.


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