This past Friday, I traveled to Bologna with my art history class to see various museums, churches, and monuments that were made by women or depicted women in early Christian art to the late renaissance. I even saw the preserved body of the first female artist: a nun who insisted upon her own literacy, artistic ability, and the opportunity to teach other women her skills. It was a fascinating experience. But along with all the fantastic museums, there was simply Bologna itself and what a city it was. Bologna is similar to Florence in that it is a busy, lived in city. However, it is more colorful, less touristy, more laid back, and has a modern flare mixed in with the old-world charm. Peach, pink, red, yellow, orange: the colors of the houses lined the streets in such a cheerful way that I often found myself tripping over my own feet due to the fact that I was constantly looking up. Additionally the shopping seemed absolutely amazing (not that I had any time to stop at any of the stores while I was practically running to keep up with my art History teacher, Helen who was always racing ahead at the speed of light). Small artisan shops, local designers, the big brands, everything you could want, it was there, and the food was fabulous. Unfortunately, we did not have time to stop and have a real Bolognese meal and I left the list of good places to go in Bologna in my apartment, but we did stop at a self service place and I had some scrumptious tortelloni (large tortellini) and roasted vegetables. What really got me, though were the streets filled with fresh produce, fish, meat, and poultry. There were also the most amazing bakeries filled with cakes, pies, tarts, and hundreds of delectable baked goods. I wanted to buy it all, but I didn’t think the next 5 churches and museums we visited would be storing my raw produce at the bag check (I mean, I really would have). After a long day of walking, museum/church hopping, and torture in the form of walking past every single food/clothing store I would ever want to go into, I decided to treat myself to another one of Bologna’s more famous treats: a really really really good cup of gelato hand-made at la Cremeria Funivia. Chocolato e pistacchio: Hands down, it was the best ice cream/gelato I have ever had. Plus it was in a cone (I prefer licking ice cream because it helps me eat it slower).
I think it is safe to say that on my own time, I will definitely be returning to bologna for a day of walking around, shopping, and amazing food. Here are some images from the day. Ciao!
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| 1 of 4 siren women holding up this very fertile fountain |
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| Just one of many well designed shop windows |
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| I fiori |
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| Una Chiesa |
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| Other flowers on the street |
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| Pistacchio e Chiocolato |
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| A must if you are ever in Bologna |
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| Bologna is famous for its cured meats and cheeses |
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| Una Pescheria |
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| Le Verdure |
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| Where we stopped for lunch |
This past Friday, I traveled to Bologna with my art history class to see various museums, churches, and monuments that were made by women or depicted women in early Christian art to the late renaissance. I even saw the preserved body of the first female artist: a nun who insisted upon her own literacy, artistic ability, and the opportunity to teach other women her skills. It was a fascinating experience. But along with all the fantastic museums, there was simply Bologna itself and what a city it was. Bologna is similar to Florence in that it is a busy, lived in city. However, it is more colorful, less touristy, more laid back, and has a modern flare mixed in with the old-world charm. Peach, pink, red, yellow, orange: the colors of the houses lined the streets in such a cheerful way that I often found myself tripping over my own feet due to the fact that I was constantly looking up. Additionally the shopping seemed absolutely amazing (not that I had any time to stop at any of the stores while I was practically running to keep up with my art History teacher, Helen who was always racing ahead at the speed of light). Small artisan shops, local designers, the big brands, everything you could want, it was there, and the food was fabulous. Unfortunately, we did not have time to stop and have a real Bolognese meal and I left the list of good places to go in Bologna in my apartment, but we did stop at a self service place and I had some scrumptious tortelloni (large tortellini) and roasted vegetables. What really got me, though were the streets filled with fresh produce, fish, meat, and poultry. There were also the most amazing bakeries filled with cakes, pies, tarts, and hundreds of delectable baked goods. I wanted to buy it all, but I didn’t think the next 5 churches and museums we visited would be storing my raw produce at the bag check (I mean, I really would have). After a long day of walking, museum/church hopping, and torture in the form of walking past every single food/clothing store I would ever want to go into, I decided to treat myself to another one of Bologna’s more famous treats: a really really really good cup of gelato hand-made at la Cremeria Funivia. Chocolato e pistacchio: Hands down, it was the best ice cream/gelato I have ever had. Plus it was in a cone (I prefer licking ice cream because it helps me eat it slower). 
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