We awoke to a bright, sunny day, and so, immediately after breakfast, we set out to explore more of the city.  A plaque on the facade of the building, at Via Nosadella, #45, reminds the passersby that the structure once housed the Convent of Santa Maria degli Angeli.

On Via Sant’Isaia, #16, a plaque marks the house where Rodolfo Audinot died in 1874.  It was Audinot who, in 1854, proposed doing away with the customs barriers between the states of central Italy.  After the unification of Italy, he began his political career as deputy, before eventually being elected senator.

The Chiesa di Sant’Isaia is one of the oldest churches in Bologna, dating back to at least 1088, at which time it was outside of the city walls.  The church was rebuilt in 1624 to a design by the architect Pietro Fiorini, who died before the work was finished.  His son, Sebastiano, took over, and the church was completed in 1633.  As the city grew in size, the church’s location became more central, to the point where up until 1223, it was used as the meeting point for men of arms, when the city was under siege.

At Via de’ Marchi, #31, you will find a plaque that pays tribute to Graziolo Bambaglioli, whose many family homes used to line the street.  Graziolo was memorialized by Dante, who used him as the first commentator of the Divine Comedy.

At Via Sant’Isaia, #20/b, you will find the Biblioteca dei Bambini, or the Children’s Library.

Palazzo Belloni, also known as Casa Cantelli, is found on Via de’ Gombruti.  The palace dates from the end of the 17th century, and was built by the Belloni family, as their main residence.  The palace hosted James III Stuart in 1717, as he made his way to Rome, where he was exiled.

The Comunità Monastica San Serafino di Sarov was founded by Don Divo Barsotti.  Today, the order manages the Casa di Riposo Emma Muratori, a retirement home for the elderly.  The building that houses the retirement home, known as Casa Gombruti, dates from the 16th century.

 

Next up: We continue to explore, including a visit to the Basilica di San Francesco!

 

Note: This blog is written in English and Spanish, and the author takes no responsibility for the quality of any other translations that may appear.  If you have enjoyed this post, please, check out our archives for more posts from Bologna, as well as other Italian destinations.  Grazie!