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I really don't know where to start with Bologna. Everything has been perfect. Today is our last full day and we don't want to leave. The apartment, for starters: a huge beautifully renovated space with everything: full separate kitchen, massive bathroom complete with washing machine, p2 dining tables, lounges and our first iron and ironing board. So what, you might ask? You don't travel for the hotels!Well after 63 days and 21 hotels, some around 8 sq metres where we had to crawl over each other or our bags to get to the door, this place has been bliss.
The city. I love everything about it, particularly the fact that the whole city is historically preserved, unlike most of the other cities we have visited, where the old town is a preserved block or street. The powers that be have ensured that all the ancient buildings appear ancient, even when repairs or renovations are undertaken. When you look above the shopping roofline, you are immersed anywhere between the eighth to eighteenth century.
Twenty three medieval towers remain in Bologna, one that is a staggering 100 metres high. San Pietrino on Via Indepenza, is mammoth. It was intended to be the biggest church in Italy until papal intervention ensured the Vatican's St Peter's prevailed.
The San Stephano monastery, with 5 churches therein, is perhaps the most beautiful religious space I have ever entered. The distinct absence of gold-laden grandeur generates a humility that better connects with my religious core. Within that space, you MUST see,( I should say, allow yourself to be overcome by) the very dark holy Sepulchre Church/ St. Petronious crypt, with it's temple dating back to the 5th century.....and I had earlier resolved to visit no more churches!!!!
The most fantastic thing about
Bologna, undoubtedly, was the lost family that I found here. They were the warmest and some of the most beautiful people we have ever encountered, with a connectedness that taught us a lesson about family. With every one of these people, we felt at home within the first 60 seconds: Grazia, Manuele (Mano), Ariana, Parmela, Lollo, Alessandro, Samuele, Dahlila, Alessandro, Greta, Giuele (scusate se la mia ortografia è sbagliata) and last but not least, the amazing Lia, an immediate kindred spirit who was our warm and funny companion and guide for the bulk of our stay. Tante grazie Lia for all the special experiences and your composure in the face of typically painful Italian government office inefficiency: la donna carina con gli occhiali in ufficio postale a Modena. Seriously, if it wasn't for our family in Australia, we would have been happy to stay forever because we found a sense of place here that we have yearned for in our lives. We had to tear ourselves away from Bologna, but we will back, a presto!!!!!!
- comments
rudy felt the same about bologna and family there.a heart place...love rudy xx
Lucy Anne Morabito So happy you met them all! They are lovely and I love them!