Bologna - Self guided tour and Food Tasting Box

 Bologna is distinctive for its porticoed walk ways. Since the 11th century they have been building porticoes on the fronts of buildings, and they still do, so the materials used range from wood through to steel. There are 62 kms of porticoes in the city.

The porticoes of Bologna are UNESCO Heritage Listed not only for their artistic point of view but also their socio-cultural perspective. They symbolise the essence of Bolognese hospitality.

Interestingly, they are the property of the building but are designated for public use.

 

Bologna is also known for its food, the quality and the variety of foods local to the area. One of the city's nicknames is 'il grasso' - the fat.

Before leaving home we purchased two Food Tasting Boxes - a combination self guided tour with notes and QR links and a set of coupons for local foods at nine local speciality shops.

We met our representative by the Fountain of Neptune and she gave us the kit and explained how it worked, gave us her phone number and set us free.

Piazza Maggiore is spectacular, comprising palaces, a basilica/cathedral and the podestà, the head of power. We spent some time enjoying all these places before using our first coupon. 

No, not the steps to our apartment but to the marriage registry.

The Basilica of San Petronio

Another 35 degree day was looming so we used our first coupon and enjoyed fruit and frozen yoghurt. Kel had watermelon and I had rockmelon, pineapple and kiwi fruit.

We continued exploring and being amazed at the hundreds of people dining, it seems like the historic centre is one giant restaurant!

Then we came upon one of our coupon places offering a bolognaise with a glass of red wine, and best of all, there were plenty of seats available. This shop was actually a salumeria, a kind of butcher deli, and had an incredible display.

We were brought our glasses of wine and some peanuts, and the place began to fill.

Over the next hour we were told there was no bolognaise left and would we accept anything else. Sure, said we.  With many requests to the waiters, including one from a well spoken Italian on our behalf, each time being told 'Five minutes' ... this is what we eventually got .

True, it is a Bolognese speciality, a tigelle with boloney, also known as mortadella. After a hour of waiting, and it was after 1.30 pm, we were not very satisfied.

On to Piazza della Mercanzia. This very interesting area was the centre of trade and business in the Medieval times and the buildings are incredible. It was also of the times of building big towers to show your wealth,  and there are many towers still standing.

The building on the right, the Palazzo della Mercanzia,  dates from the 1300s and is a most significant building in Bologna.

Walking on we passed some more interesting architecture, then came to the pick of the day, the Basilica of San Stefano. It is actually a group of worship places built one on top of the other (or over-lapping) dating from 80-100 A.D. It is also known as the Seven Churches.

Below, the main entrance to the complex now, in Piazza San Stefano.

Inside the Church of St. John and the crucifix dated 1380.

The Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre is the oldest part of the complex. It contains a marble edicule, a small temple often containing the remains of a saint (in this case St. Petronius)

This basilica built in the Lombard Romanesque style is dedicated to local sainted martyrs Vitale and Agricola. It has housed their relics since the time it was built in 394.

This courtyard, called Pilate's Courtyard, is highly significant for Christians as it contains many emblems, items and memories relating to Christ.

The Church of the Martyrium has lost much of its original form but records show that it is extremely old and contains precious works.

This life size wooden Adoration of the Magi is the oldest known nativity scene in rhe world with statues in the round. It is 13th century.

The quilter in me noted this mosaic floor.

The Cloister above, and below, the exterior of the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre. Another great pattern.

Another coupon, this time a delicous piece of pizza.

More towers to impress in the Middle Ages, another church, the Cathedral of San Pietro ...

...and finally, Bologna's Little Venice. Most of its canals are hidden, which is a good thing.