Bologna and Modena

A full day!  Left on the early train, determined to cover 2 towns in one day...probably shouldn't have tried that as I was exhausted and over it by the time I got to Modena.

My day started in Bologna, home of Europe's first university.  It has the same kind of feel that the city, just down the road from Raleigh has, you know the light blue one!  I started Bologna at

Piazza Maggiore

This is the main square of Bologna and like every other city in Italy, most people come here at some point during the day.  The statue of Neptune has been in the piazza since the 16th century.  Opposite of the statue is the 14th century church, the Basilica di San Petronio.  It was supposed to be much larger than it is, but the pope at that time diverted money from the church to build the university.

Te facade was only finished half way up, and has been left that way.  Inside the Basilica, The min attractions are more scientific than regions.  17th century astronomer Cassini, did things like drew a meridian on the floor and created astronomical clock which markes the sunrise and sunset opening in the ceiling at noon.  Other scientific tools are located thought out the church, as well as religious subjects.

This building is the Palazzo Communale, and has graced the square since 1287.  Once a private home, the set of local government, a stock exchange, now is the city's multimedia library and exhibition space.

As you leave the piazza, you enter the city's food shops and market area.  So interesting how each shop speciallizes in something different.

Santo Stefano

This group of churches became a monastery in the 8th century.  This group, includes the 5th century SS vitale e Agricola, the oldest church in Bologna, but worship he has been traced back to Roman times.

Ok so if I say "leaning tower" you think of Pisa, right?  If imsay "twin towers" you think of New York, right?  Well in Bologna, they have the Twin Leaning Towers!

These medieval skyscrapers are the remnants of an era when dozens of structures like these dotted towns all over Europe. They were built by noble families, partly for protection and partly as status symbols.  

The taller fthe two towers, Torre degli Asinelli, was built in 1119 and at 318 feet tall, is still Bologna's tallest building.  It's lean is seven feet to one side however, the shorter tower, Torre della Garisenda, overhangs its base by 10 feet.  It's height had to be reduced to 157 feet in 1360 for public safety.

The towers are interesting, but probably the oddest architectural feature of Bologna are its porticoes.  It has 40 miles (yes, 40 miles/70km) of porticoes attached to various buildings throughout the city.  They started being built in the 12th century when the influx of 2000 university students caused a housing shortage.  The solution became to allow extra rooms, overhanging the streets.  Thy also work well to shelter from the rain and sun!!!

Modena

Ok, good thin they give us great balsamic and Ferraris because otherwise there is nothing there!  I did not pay to go to the Ferrari museum just because it doesn't necessarily fascinate me so I just wondered the city.

 The Cathedral of Modena 

Some history of Modena...was a roman colony by 183 BC and served s the site for the war between Decimus Junius Brutus and Marc Antony (43BC) which marked the rise if Octavian and the birth of the Second Triumvirate.