Bologna

Bologna, for me, is one of the best cities in the world.

I had a feeling that I was in a classic fairy tale with flying dragons wanting to save lots of Rafunzels on top of tall towers. I was easily mesmerized by Bologna’s medieval and magical look.

This was medieval Europe at its best. Impressive architecture! “Unbelievable sight, unexplainable feeling.” I haven’t seen such a charming city, with not too many tourists. At first, I just wanted to see my dear friends again, but to my surprised, I extended my stay because I cannot get enough of this old city.

My best friend Lady had been to the Bologna Train Station only; she thought it had nothing to offer. But the moment I went to see the spectacular view from my friend’s place, it was incredible! If only I were a painter, I would love to sit on the roof and just paint the whole day and night. Bologna is Italy’s hidden gem.

Bologna is a tower town. According to my friend Otta, in medieval times, the height of the tower was associated with a family’s power and wealth. I climbed the tallest Asinelli’s Tower, in the heart of the city; it was a test of patience and determination, like trying to climb the Empire State Building in New York using stairs. But the moment I reached the top, all I wanted was to fly and freeze in the air. Overlooking Bologna was incomparable.

My friend’s glamorous mother brought me to the Pinacoteca Nazionale or the National Art Gallery of Bologna. I am not a fan of museums, but in this one, I was alta sociedad appreciating art at its best: the museum and its wall. Its roof was actually part of a collection of huge and incredible works of art. Outside the museum were Christmas lights, giving joyful life to the medieval buildings surrounding the magnificent Piazza Maggiore, the city center. The Piazza is really the right place to walk around—the city hall and other Palazzo; the Gothic San Petronio Basilica, the fifth-largest church in the world (thanks to Google); and the University of Bologna, the oldest Western university in the world (thanks to Google).

Bologna is a college town. The Teatro Anatomico at the University of Bologna is the first-ever classroom for medical students in the world. The old classrooms were like a study room for the kings and queens, and the university library was a masterpiece – its walls, its roof was all part of a journey going back to the medieval time. Pope Innocent IX, Pope Alexander VI and Pope Gregory XV are famous alumni of the University along with Dante Alighieri (memorized his poem in high school) and Nicholaus Copernicus, who formulated that the sun is the center of the Universe.

But nothing will beat the best feeling of walking inside alleys that are full of gelato stores, pizza and coffee houses, specialty shops, and, of course, the loud speaking voices of Italians and their hand gestures. Most of Italy’s signature dishes are from Bologna: pasta, pizza, gelato, tortelli, tagliatelle, and lasagna. Bolognese is the best in Bologna, for obvious reasons.

Bologna, I will name my daughter Bologna (or Felsina, its classical name), but first let me find a wife.

Enjoy Bologna! And welcome to my friends’ lovely and artistic home, with a view that can melt your soul.

Then, let me take you to the streets of Bologna at night

And during the day

Now, I will bring you to the top of the tower

I was exhausted but relaxed after a while.

Welcome to the oldest university in the world, the University of Bologna

Hallway

Library

A real ancient Egyptian mummy at the University Museum

Old classroom

The world’s first classroom for medical students

Pasta & Pizza

Sngay and the graceful mother of Alae Luna.

Inside the Museum