BOLOGNA – Day Two

DSCN0480DSCN0479DSCN0483The growth of the city is easy to imagine when you view the remains of the different rings of walls which surrounded the municipality, long ago.  Now, they are simply incorporated into the different buildings which abut them.  DSCN0481DSCN0485The Chiesa di San Donato is located in the small, but charming, Piazetta Achille Ardigo, at the entrance to the city’s old Jewish ghetto.  On nice days, you can expect to find the small outdoor space filled with cafe tables, where locals sit and enjoy a coffee, or an aperitivo.  I found the facade of the church to be quite beautiful, with its fading frescoes.  DSCN0486DSCN0487DSCN0491The Palazzo della Mercanzia was built in 1348.  It has always been the location from which the city’s trading and commerce was run – even today, the Chamber of Commerce is housed here.  The small, stone balcony in the photo above, was where the various judges would appear to give the populace their verdicts on whatever cases were before them.DSCN0492DSCN0501DSCN0502DSCN0495DSCN0500DSCN0503DSCN0505DSCN0506DSCN0508DSCN0512DSCN0513I decided to purchase a “Bologna Welcome Card”.  The cost was E30.00, but it included free admission to 15 of the city’s major museums/attractions, plus discounted admission to others, as well as discounts in shops, etc.  It is a wise investment for anyone intending to stay in the city for a few days, as most of what you will want to do is included in the card, and you will end up saving money.DSCN0535DSCN0515My first stop was Palazzo Pepoli Campogrande, and the Quadreria Zambeccari.  This palazzo, dating from the 1600’s, was built by the Pepoli family, directly across the street from their other palazzo, which was built in the medieval period.  Inside of this beautiful building is a collection of masterpieces by some of the area’s most noted artists.  DSCN0516DSCN0523DSCN0526DSCN0528DSCN0530Not only is the art displayed worth visiting, but the frescoes on the ceilings, and walls, were stunning!DSCN0531After my stop in Palazzo Pepoli Campogrande, I crossed the street to visit Palazzo Pepoli Vecchia and the Museo della Storia di Bologna.  This is a museum which tells the tale of the history of the city of Bologna, from Etruscan to modern times.  DSCN0532DSCN0533DSCN0536DSCN0534DSCN0537DSCN0545DSCN0549DSCN0552DSCN0553DSCN0555DSCN0538DSCN0542DSCN0561DSCN0558DSCN0560DSCN0565Palazzo Davia-Bargellini, on Strada Maggiore, is the home to the Museo Civico d’Arte Industriale e Galleria Davia Bargellini – The Civic Museum of Industrial Art & the Davia Bargellini Gallery.  DSCN0567DSCN0566DSCN0569DSCN0571DSCN0573DSCN0574DSCN0579DSCN0584DSCN0585DSCN0586DSCN0588DSCN0589DSCN0590

Next up: More from Bologna, including a visit to the 7 Churches, and the Museo Civico Medievale.

Note: this blog is written in English and Spanish, and the author takes no responsibility for the quality of any other translations which may appear.

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