I'd been in Venice a week. I had a good few days in the studio and have produced a small edition, ready to be sent to England for a Print Exchange. So treat time. I caught the train to Bologna, 2 hours away [on the local train, only an hour and a half on the Frecciarossa]. While Venice has more than enough to amuse me, I am keen to explore a little more of nearby Italy while I am here.
I was very lucky and had a private tour guide, in artist Angela Lorenz, who lives in Bologna. We spent a few hours walking around the city centre ducking into various museums and palazzi. She has a wonderful knowledge of the history of Bologna, and makes a fabulous tour guide. I knew that Bologna was a university city, but had no idea that it has been a centre of learning for centuries, that it's a UNESCO city of music, and is among the top cities in Italy for quality of life. It is a wonderful city to walk around, with a network of centuries old covered portico, and so many historic buildings still standing.
I was very lucky and had a private tour guide, in artist Angela Lorenz, who lives in Bologna. We spent a few hours walking around the city centre ducking into various museums and palazzi. She has a wonderful knowledge of the history of Bologna, and makes a fabulous tour guide. I knew that Bologna was a university city, but had no idea that it has been a centre of learning for centuries, that it's a UNESCO city of music, and is among the top cities in Italy for quality of life. It is a wonderful city to walk around, with a network of centuries old covered portico, and so many historic buildings still standing.
TOP - Piazza Maggiore. The centre city square.
BELOW- Inside Palazzo d'Accursio. The ramp enabled horses to be driven up to access all floors of the palazzo.
BELOW- Inside Palazzo d'Accursio. The ramp enabled horses to be driven up to access all floors of the palazzo.
Highlights -
The anatomy lecture theatre at Palazzo Poggi. Centuries old, all timber panelled and timber carvings,, amazing carved ceiling illustrating the universe [that did not photograph well]. The number of frescoed ceilings I saw. Some of these palazzi have been divided into apartments - imagine having a frescoed ceiling in your apartment. The libraries of old books. The network of porticoes across the city - there's a 5km long one leading to a church on a hill overlooking the city. Next time. Peering through open gates to catch a glimpse of a garden - the gardens are private, hidden from public view in courtyards. Chiesa di San Stefano - so much history, as seven buildings added over centuries form the church.
And food - lunch was Bolognese food. Tagliatelle with ragu, tortelloni with oil and sage [ I now know the difference between tortellini and tortelloni], and lasagne. Then gelato - gelato tasting at Il Gelatauro. So many flavours, made from the best ingredients from around the world, or the local organic market. The strawberry sorbet was a standout, and the hazelnut gelato, using hazelnuts from one town in Piedmonte, and there's even ginger gelato with ginger from Buderim, Qld.
The anatomy lecture theatre at Palazzo Poggi. Centuries old, all timber panelled and timber carvings,, amazing carved ceiling illustrating the universe [that did not photograph well]. The number of frescoed ceilings I saw. Some of these palazzi have been divided into apartments - imagine having a frescoed ceiling in your apartment. The libraries of old books. The network of porticoes across the city - there's a 5km long one leading to a church on a hill overlooking the city. Next time. Peering through open gates to catch a glimpse of a garden - the gardens are private, hidden from public view in courtyards. Chiesa di San Stefano - so much history, as seven buildings added over centuries form the church.
And food - lunch was Bolognese food. Tagliatelle with ragu, tortelloni with oil and sage [ I now know the difference between tortellini and tortelloni], and lasagne. Then gelato - gelato tasting at Il Gelatauro. So many flavours, made from the best ingredients from around the world, or the local organic market. The strawberry sorbet was a standout, and the hazelnut gelato, using hazelnuts from one town in Piedmonte, and there's even ginger gelato with ginger from Buderim, Qld.
TOP - Palazzo Poggi. Anatomy Theatre
BELOW - Frescoed ceiling at Palazzo Poggi
BELOW - Frescoed ceiling at Palazzo Poggi
MIDDLE - Courtyard at Basilica di San Domenico
BOTTOM - Chiesa di San Stefano
BOTTOM - Chiesa di San Stefano