Bologna, Italy: June 16, 2016

Text and images (c) Robert Barry Francos / FFanzeen, 2016
Images can be enlarged by clicking on them

When the opportunity came to go to a conference centered in Bologna, Italy, we jumped at the chance. Arriving a week early, we took the chance to do as much as we could on day trips. This is the first part of that journey. Some comments describing a section will be in the text, others as captions are about the image. All photos taken by Robert Barry Francos unless indicated.

 On the plane flying over the Alps, from Frankfurt to Bologna.

There is high poverty levels and drug usage in Bologna, and in fact I actually walked into the middle of a shady deal, but made sure to look away when they realized I was there (1970s New York training, perhaps). Also there are a lot of students, as the longest existing University in Europe is in the city. This leads to some very interesting graffiti which is called street art there.

Shoes on the wire are popular there, but not sure it means the same as it did in NYC a few decades ago.

Made me think of Coney Island

There is also a lot of opera in Bologna...

...and cycles of all kinds

If you're in a building from the 12th Century, cell phones are mandatory

My first view of Il Due Torri, at the center of Bologna, built mainly in the 12th Century

The one on the far right is 395 feet; the Statue of Liberty to the top of the flame is 305 feet.

New chain bookstore with ancient balcony

Balcony detail

Religious chatchkas store in base of a Torre 

Lion wrapped in protective netting to keep it from falling

Statue covered in spikes to keep the birds off

Construction at the base of the more leaning Torre

Store steps at the base of the taller Torre; pay 3 Euros and you can climb the rest of the wooden stairs to the top.

Homeless sleeping at the church pictured above

Ancient wooden balcony support

Old metal door and chime, detailed below

The wording on the right says, "Good Choice."

Within what was the Jewish Ghetto. The Hand symbolizes the area.

A center within the Jewish Ghetto is Via Della'Inferno ("Street of Hell")

Religious and non-religious notations on "Street of Hell"

Religious symbols crop up in everyday places (detail below)

This graffiti and the one directly below are across from each other

Right near our hotel, not sure what they are saying, one way only or no-go

Chinese Restaurant down the block from our hotel; no we did not eat there

Sign on this ancient building says "Love & Piercings"

Luggage or advert, I'm not sure

There are canals running through Bologna, but most are covered and unseen; I found one that was not

Innovative street art; this artist uses Ben Turpin image a lot