Bologna today retained the color of the medieval city: the city streets are mostly narrow, resembling labyrinths, with numerous porticoes and arcades. And what are the medieval churches, cathedrals and palaces of the XIII and XIV centuries with their towers and battlements.
In the first part of the post: What to see in Bologna: TOP-8 places worth visiting. Part I Blogoitaliano has already touched on some of the most interesting places in the Italian province. Today we will continue our acquaintance with the city and talk about those attractions that deserve the greatest attention.
No. 4. Monastery complex of Santo Stefano
The monastery complex of Santo Stefano (Monastero di Santo Stefano) or, as it is also called, the Seven Churches (Sette Chiese) is located on the Piazza di Santo Stefano, in the very center of Bologna.
Founded in the 5th century by Bishop of Bologna Petronius on the site of the pagan temple of the goddess Isis, the Santo Stefano complex is one of the most integral reproductions of the Jerusalem Temple of the Holy Sepulcher in Europe.
The Church of Saints Vitaliy and Agricola - the first Christian martyrs of Bologna - and the Church of the Holy Sepulcher date from the 5th century and are considered the oldest in the monastery complex. From a pagan temple inside the Basilica, a column of black African marble is well preserved - a prototype of the one on which Christ was scourged - and a source symbolizing the waters of the Jordan.
The Basilica of the Crucifixion of the Lord was built in the VIII century
The connecting link between the Church of the Holy Sepulcher and the Church of the Holy Trinity is the portico of the 13th century, representing the Court of Pontius Pilate. The "washstand" installed in the courtyard is the memory of the place where, having condemned Christ, the Procurator washed his hands, relieving himself of responsibility for his execution.
In the Temple of the Crucifixion of the Lord (VIII century), attention should be paid to the work of the Bologna sculptor Simone dei Krochefissi (1380) "Crucifixion", which creates the feeling of being on Calvary, and a column 1.7 m high - according to the existing legend, it fully corresponds to the growth of Christ.
In addition, in the Temples and Museum of the Santo Stefano Complex you can see an old wooden nativity scene with figures of human height painted by Simone dei Crocefissi, icons and fragments of frescoes of the 12th - 16th centuries and much more. And the main relic of Santo Stefano is Benda - the facial bandage of the Virgin.
No. 3. Basilica of San Domenico
One of the most important and significant structures of Bologna is considered the Basilica of San Domenico (Basilica di San Domenico), built on the site of the ancient church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker in the middle of the XIII century. In the name of St. Dominica Basilica is named after the founder of the Dominican Order after his death in 1221. For five centuries, the Church of St. Dominica was repeatedly rebuilt and supplemented with new buildings.
The main relic of the Basilica of San Domenico are the relics of St. Domenica stored in a marble sarcophagus made by Nikollo Pisano in 1267.
At different times, the best Italian painters and sculptors worked in the Basilica. So, for example, the famous Arch di San Domenico was created by the sculptor Nikollo da Bari, after which he became known by the name of Niccolo Del Arch. The figures of Saints Petronius and Proclus and a kneeling angel with a candelabrum are the work of 20-year-old Michelangelo. The fresco of the Glory of St. Dominic on the dome of the chapel is a masterpiece of Guido Reni of the early 17th century.
The main relic of San Domenico - the relics of the Saint
Among others, in the Basilica there are works by Karacci, Gverchino, Ubaldo Gandolfi and others. You should pay attention to Filippino Lippi's painting “The Mystical Betrothal of St. Catherine” and the painted cross of Junta Pisano, made in the middle of the XIII century.
In addition, in the chapel of St. Dominica has preserved an old organ on which at the end of the 18th century young Mozart played. And the magnificent wooden chorale performed by the monk Damiano da Bergamo in the middle of the 16th century is considered a masterpiece of inlay.
No. 2. Piazza Maggiore and the Neptune Fountain
Acquaintance with Bologna among tourists begins with its main square - Piazza Maggiore (Piazza Maggiore), founded in the XIII century and rich in ancient buildings.
The main attraction of Piazza Maggiore is the majestic Basilica of San Petronio - the patron saint of Bologna, conceived by the architect Antonio di Vincenzo as the most magnificent church of Christianity. The construction of the church took more than 250 years, starting in 1390, but was never completed.
The oldest in the square is considered the Palazzo del Podesta (Palace of the Mayor) in 1201. Right above it, from 1212, the bell tower of Torre del Arengo rises. In the Middle Ages, the ringing of a bell warned citizens about important events and convened them at meetings.
The statue of Neptune is made by Jambolon in 1566.
Next to the Palazzo del Podesta is the Palace of King Enzo, in which the son of Emperor Federico II was captured. For more than 20 years, starting from 1249 until his death, the Palace served him as a "golden" prison.
On the west side of the Piazza Maggiore is the Palazzo Communal. Now it houses the municipality and the Morandi Museum with a collection of works by the best artists of Bologna from the 13th-19th centuries.
The decoration of the square is the Neptune Fountain, standing on the adjacent to the Piazza Maggiore - Piazza Nettuno. In the center of the fountain rises a bronze statue of a sea deity, made in the 16th century by the Florentine sculptor Dzhambolonya. The statue of Neptune is surrounded by inhabitants of the deep sea: sirens, dolphins and other mythical creatures, and water flows from their figures into the fountain bowl. The entire sculptural complex of Fontana is permeated with sensuality and eroticism. According to one legend, in order not to embarrass the residents of the city with the naked view of the sea king, the church ordered to cover Neptune's nudity with bronze pants.
No. 1. Two towers (Le Due Torri)
The main symbol of Bologna and its business card - Two towers (Le Due Torri), also called “falling” - is located just two hundred meters from the Piazza Maggiore on the Piazza della Mercanzia.
In medieval Bologna, especially in the XII-XIII centuries, the construction of towers was a real "boom". In troubled times - the towers served as a refuge for the townspeople from the enemies, in peacetime - they were an excellent observation post. Later, a prison was located in Two Towers, and in the XVII-XVIII centuries, Bologna scientists made their discoveries here.
Today, the city has twenty well-preserved towers, but the most interesting are only two towers built by the rival families of Asinelli (torre degli Asinelli) and Garisenda (La torre Garisenda) at the beginning of the XII century.
Two Falling Towers - Bologna's Business Card
For 9 centuries, the Asinelli Tower deviated from its original position by 2.2 meters, which, however, is not surprising - because its height is 97.2 meters. The Garisenda Tower began to roll during construction, so in the 14th century it was decided to shorten it. Today its height is 48 meters, and the roll is 3.2 m. By the way, the famous Dante immortalized the Garisenda Tower in his “Divine Comedy”.
On the Two Towers, those who wish can enjoy a bird's eye view of the city, but not everyone will decide on such a “feat”. After all, to get to the observation deck of the Azinelli Tower, 498 steps will have to be overcome through a narrow spiral staircase.
