Bologna: First Impressions

I woke up today around 6:00 am, after getting nearly 12 hours of sleep, and spent the next hour and a half getting ready, and looking up some sights to see in Bologna. I ate breakfast at the hotel at 7:30, when they started serving it, and I was famished. I had skipped dinner last night because of my 6 hour nap, and I didn't have much to eat prior to that either. After, I returned to my room, hung out for a while, and departed. I spent pretty much the entire day walking through Bologna. Wandered is probably a more appropriate term. I got turned around a few times, but I didn't stray too far from Piazza Maggiore, the center of the city, and a place I can easily find my way back to the hotel from. I went in and out of different stores (I did happen to find one of the H&M's in addition to Zara), and through several outside markets. Despite the foggy weather, it was still beautiful. It was cold, but really not too bad. I grabbed lunch at a caffe called "La Linea" and ordered a panino with formaggio (cheese) and tomato. Yumm. It was really cheap. Only about 5 Euro for the panino and a bottle of water, which seemed like a good deal compared to some of the other places I walked by. I explored La Basilica di San Petronio, which is absolutely gorgeous. I also found myself inside La Cattedrale di San Pietro, and am probably one of the few people who has pictures of it on the inside. (This is because you aren't supposed to take pictures, and I didn't read that sign until I was on my way out of the church. However, I didn't make the same mistake when I was inside of La Basilica di San Petronio). La Cattedrale was amazingly beautiful as well. It reminded me of a friend. Then I made my way to Le Due Torri, where I paid 3 Euro for a ticket, and then climbed to the top. The stairs were old and wooden, and it probably took 20-30 minutes to get all the way up, but it wasn't that bad, and it was TOTALLY worth it. The view was astounding. I wish it wasn't so foggy, but it was beautiful nonetheless, and I definitely plan on going back there. I came back to the hotel and showered before leaving once again to find a place for dinner. I stumbled into a cozy-looking wine bar/caffe and ordered a glass of wine and helped myself to the different dishes of antipasto. Italian wine is delicious. I don't know why you would even want to order anything else. I came back to the hotel, took a nap (because my body is still feeling the jet lag), woke up again, and decided to work on this. Tomorrow, I'm thinking of checking out the university area. I have also successfully made an appointment to meet with some future roommates and to visit an apartment, since I only have until Jan. 22 to find a place to live, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed.


Via Dell'Independenza. One of the main streets in my part of la città. Located here are many stores, bars, caffes, gelaterias, and pasticcerias (bakeries).


My single room in Hotel Holiday that I am staying at. On January 10th, when I get to meet my program director and the other American students, I will check out of my single and share a double with someone else - this time on the program's tab! But non c'è un problema, they gave me a special rate since I am staying there with IU-BCSP.


Piazza Maggiore. The heart of Bologna. The building on the left is La Basilica di San Petronio, which unfortunately currently appears to be under renovation. The building on the right is Il Museo Civico Medievale (Museum of Medieval History).


Due Torri (Two Towers). Two of the most famous towers that were built in Bologna by wealthy families in the 12th century in order to show off their prestige. There used to be something like over 200 towers in the city. The shorter one is Torre degli Garisenda and the taller one is Torre degli Assinelli. The height of Torre degli Garisenda was reduced because it was leaning, and thought to be a threat to the city. You are able to climb to the top of Torre degli Assinelli, and the view is breath-taking.


Una bella via nella città.


Foto from the climb up Torre degli Assinelli.


Sky view of Piazza Maggiore with the Alps in the background to the left. It was pretty foggy, so the pictures didn't come out as clear, but no worries, I am definitely going back.




My first dinner at a bar/caffe I stumbled upon. When you buy a glass of vino, you get access to an assortment of "Antipasti" or appetizers. This is popular for many of the bars/caffes I have seen here.


One of my several illegal pictures of the inside of La Cattedrale di San Pietro. (But I am glad I have them, it was breath-taking).