Some Things We Like About Bologna

In no particular order, we like (so far) the following things about Bologna.

The Teatro Cummunali (The Opera House): last night we saw a production of Mozart's "Magic Flute" which was not really to our liking, but the venue was sensational and we felt very privileged to be there. We didn't care for the opera mainly because it was an "updated" version, which required us to wear 3D glasses at certain stages throughout the show. On. Off. On. Off. On. etc. etc. ad nauseum.  There was a projection on a background screen which was the part needing the 3D assistance.  We would have much preferred a traditional background of real sets.  I know, we're clearly behind the times in our requirements of operatic performance.... But look how grand the theatre is!!  That's really why we went, anyway!

Churches - Italy does churches very well.  That's not news.  Each one is more beautiful than the last, and you don't need to be a believer to appreciate the architecture, the art and the sheer impossibility of  the question you keep asking yourself - "How did they do it...?"  

 

Cattedrale Di San Pietro

 

 San Bartolomeo Di Reno

 

 

Basilica Di San Domenico (above)

Teatro Anatomica - (below) this theatre was used for conducting autopsies as part of the educational program for medical students 

 

Stabat Mater Lecture Hall (part of the university) - a beautiful space - Einstein once lectured here! Hard to do it justice in a single photo.

 

The numerous colonnaded streets (Bologna has 40 kilometres of colonnades - a huge amount for a city which is not particularly large).

 

Aperitivi and nibbles at the end of the day:  when you buy a drink at a bar in Italy, you are always automatically given snacks to go with it. We've been enjoying bellinis while here - prosecco and crushed peaches.

 

 

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