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Abroad, Bologna, Italy

The happiness to be an Italian #Bologna

posted by Dario
Aug 1, 2017 665 0 0
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The happiness to be an Italian #Bologna

  •  The old red “youth”
  • Two Towers
  • Piazza Maggiore and fountain of Neptune

 The old red “youth”

 

Bologna is a city with an extraordinary rich history that you can feel while strolling around in the pleasant atmosphere of the small streets surrounded by typical red bricks. Also the spirit of the city is very colorful and lively. It is no coincidence that Bologna is one of Italy’s hottest spots as it has the largest young population in the country and also for the simple reason that it is one of the largest university cities in the country.

I had the pleasure of visiting Bologna several times (a one-way train ticket from Florence varies between 8-12 euros). The first thing that grabs the eye is the color of most buildings. Almost all the buildings are in stunning red, which creates the specific appearance of the city: elegant, academic and sophisticated.

Two Towers

For one day, I managed to visit the sights I was aiming for, presumably I started with the most impressive ones – the Two Towers Garizenda and Azinelli or just the Two Towers. These are towers that were built in the 11th century with a defensive purpose. Their height is 97 meters, one is lower than the other with 49 meters.

In order to climb to the top of the tower you need to pass through 498 steps. Also, ironically, not only the Pisa Tower is inclined, the tower in Bologna is as well but the deviation from the base are only the modest 2.23m.

Nowadays the towers become one of the most attractive sights, as well a symbol of Bologna. They provide an unforgettable panorama of the city that fully justifies the efforts to climb the tower.

Useful information:
For visitors is only open the Azileli Tower (the higher one).
Summer time:
From 9:00 to 18:00 (last entry at 17:40), no day off
Winter working time:
From 09:00 to 17:00 (last entry at 16:40), no day off
Long working hours are possible in March and April;
Ticket for adults and children: 3,00 Euro;
Free of charge for disabled guests (no lift);
If you are fond of panoramas, this is the best offer that the city provides;
I recommend you to visit it in order to see and enjoy the true magic of the red color in this city;

Piazza Maggiore and fountain of Neptune

After that, I moved to the city’s largest square, the Piazza Maggiore, which has the role of a social center as well as a venue for many different events. Around the pizza itself are other major attractions. My favourite is the fountain of Neptune. Magnificent and stylish, the fountain was built in 1567 by Tomazo Loretti. It is located in Neptuno Square. It is a 3.2 m bronze statue. It is decorated with different elements representing angels, dolphins, sirens and fishes. There are four other statues on God’s feet, which depict four rivers: the Ganges, the Amazon, the Nile and the Danube.

At the back of the fountain is the sixth largest cathedral in Europe (the fourth largest in Italy) the Basilica of San Petronio. The length of the building is 132 m and the width is 60 m, the capacity is up to 28 000 people. The construction began in 1390 and ended in 1663.

A curious fact is that here was crowned Emperor Carl V of the Holy Roman Empire in 1530. Also Napoleon Bonaparte’s sister – Elisa Bonaparte was burried here.

On the side of the basilica you will also see the Arcusio Palace which houses the Bologna City Hall. The palace includes a complex of buildings that have been united over the centuries. It was originally the headquarters of lawyer Acourius. In the 15th century, the castle underwent restoration, with a clock tower added to it. The facade of the palace building is very beautiful and you can also see the statue of Pope Gregory VIII, who introduced the Gregorian calendar.

Curious facts:
Bologna is home to the oldest university in Europe (globally controversial), opened in 1088;
In the XII and XIII centuries, 180 towers were built in the city of which about 20 have been preserved to date. The most famous of them are Garieda and Azinelli;
Bologna is home of the Ducati motorcycle brand;
Bologna is called the “city of the arches” because of the countless arches involved in the construction of the buildings, which have also become a part of the city’s appearance;
Bologna is also called small Venice, because it is built on canals but it’s not so clearly visible. Only in certain places you can see an open channel inbetween buildings. 

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Travel Blogger

Dario Dionisi



If you want to know something more about me – my soul is a traveler, my origin is Italian and my true essence is a faithful friend. I am always open to new ideas and will be very happy if you want to contact me at dario@beyondsofia.com

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Dario • Exploring beyond Sofia
February brings the rain, thaws the frozen lake ag February brings the rain, thaws the frozen lake again. 

Yuki-Doro is challenging me who is the better poser. 🧐

#dog #hike # winter
I guess I am starting this year with a true challe I guess I am starting this year with a true challenge - hiking during winter under -15 degrees.

That was the case with the Boyana waterfall. Last year I visited them during the late summer and decided that I want to visit this place during the winter because, to be honest, I have never seen in person a big and full waterfall to be completely frozen.

So, let’s say it was something as a target for me to see it sooner or later. 

But as you can see it was really pleasant conquering this adventure because I had with me the best assistant ever - Mr. little adventurer Yuki-Doro. 

And yes, I won’t lie, I almost lost my hands and one of my legs from the extremely low temperature.

#dog #hike #winter
Most people are fascinated by the natural beauty o Most people are fascinated by the natural beauty of Yuki-Doro and I don’t blame them, to be honest. 

But as it is said - the devilish creations are the sweetest. Well, I can confirm this through my dog. 

SWIPE to the next picture and witness yourself that I have a true monster as a pet, he is twisted and scary, like a loooooot.

#dog #hiking #winter
Is it a fox? Is it a wolf? Is it Hachiko? No, it' Is it a fox? Is it a wolf? Is it Hachiko? 
No, it's Yuki-Doro conquering Cherni vrah peak at the age of 4 months.

Who would think that this little guy would manage to accomplish this so early stage in his life.

Imagine what he would do in the future, Everest here we come! 😂

#hiking #winter #dog
People have said it well that the dog is man's bes People have said it well that the dog is man's best friend.

This weekend was Yuki-Doro's first real adventure-challenge.

We wandered through the winter landscapes of snowy Vitosha.  Based on the amount of snow he ate, yes, he definitely liked the snow, it's good that it is low in calories, otherwise I would have returned to Sofia with a meatball.

Definitely this little one knows how to brighten up the atmosphere and make the trips more interesting.

I look forward to our next adventures.

Do you travel with your pets?

#winter #mountain #dog
Winter etudes of Vitosha Mountain • So, let us Winter etudes of Vitosha Mountain •

So, let us be clear here - I cannot stand winter and I really do not like the snow and cold. It is probably inherited from my Italian bloodline, who knows, but anyways.

However, I must confess, I have been multiple times in Vitosha mountain but probably for the first time I visit it for a whole hike to the peak during winter. Won’t lie, I enjoyed a lot the nature scenes I saw during my hike but still I was going to loose my hands no matter I had gloves all the time.

Overall, the experience was pleasant because it is good to remind ourselves what a true winter looks like. We all know that because of the global warming we do not have that heavy winter that we used to have back in the early 2000s. So, to see so much snow and peace at one place was a delight for my senses.

As I always say, it is good to challenge yourself and go out of your comfort zone. Only then you can discover many intriguing things, but most importantly -  to learn so many new things about yourself.

#winter #hiking #nature
Cherni vruh, the highest point of Vitosha mountain Cherni vruh, the highest point of Vitosha mountain 2290 m the peak is the fourth highest mountain summit in Bulgaria.

It presents the best spontaneous getaway if you want to go out in the nature. Also is way to good challenge yourself. I myself did it multiple times and must confess every time I climb it from different points it amazes me with the beauty that this mountain contains.

#Bulgaria #nature #mountain
The stone river in Vitosha or also known as The Go The stone river in Vitosha or also known as The Golden Bridges - amazingly beautiful natural phenomenon - the largest stone river in the Vitosha National Park. Massive stones (average size 2-3 meters) flow down from the mountain top to the valley for more than 2 miles long and 150 meters wide.

The stone river is ‘descending’ from elevation 1800 m above sea level to 1410 m at Golden Bridges site.

#Bulgaria #nature #stoneriver
Etudes of Vitosha • Is there anyone who lives i Etudes of Vitosha •

Is there anyone who lives in Sofia and had never visited Vitosha Mountain?

Because clearly this mountain is a pure nature gift for us all!

Vitosha Mountain is the oldest nature park on the Balkan Peninsula. Its gorgeous silhouette is visible from almost all positions in the city and is inseparable part of Sofia’ image.

Vitosha Naturе Park is the most broadly protected territory in Bulgaria, and due to its proximity to Sofia it has turned into a site of education in responsible attitude towards nature.

And don’t forget Sofia is the only European capital with such a big mountain so close to the city center.

So no matter the time and season Vitosha is always a good choice for adventures.

#Bulgaria #mountain #tourism
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