"A bustling kind of town" Bologna by iandsmith

Bologna Travel Guide: 1,029 reviews and 2,935 photos

The other side of Bologna - Bologna
The other side of Bologna
Busy Bologna

WIth 400,000 people floating around, Bologna is a busy place. It was in this historic city that I had my all-time most amazing carpark experience. I saw a sign and thought, "What the heck, you've got away without paying for so long, go into a carpark station." So I did. Since I ascertained it was relatively close to the city centre (I got that right) I figured I wouldn't have far too walk.
Since I was still suffering from the flu I had caught from the clown behind me coughing over me in the Teatro Verdi in Trieste, I didn't feel that great anyway.
Turns out I was near the Piazza Otto Agosto and I simply took off up a side alley, the via Piella.
I hadn't long commenced the walk when I came upon this scene. Nowhere in any pages was I even aware that a stream flowed smack through the middle of town. I was transfixed for a few moments and found the whole scene quite fascinating, so different to my perceived expectations.
I continued on into the heart and couldn't help but notice that, within the space of five blocks there were three of those unmentionable hamburger joints, so notably absent in other historic city centres. This indicated to me that it had Americans and there was a university. Correct both times.
When I later returned to my carpark and asked for my vehicle, I was astounded when I viewed how it was parked. They literally had folded over the outside mirrors and pushed it in. You couldn't actually get in the car and drive it. It had to be pushed beyond the other vehicles before you could hope to enter it. Amazing.
To the men of the Eurogarage on via Borgo S. Pietro, I take my hat off.

Pros and Cons
  • Pros:Lots to see, plenty of good history
  • Cons:A car isn't an asset here, bring your bike.
  • Last visit to Bologna: Mar 2004
  • Intro Updated May 29, 2004
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Reviews (5)

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Pope Clement VIII read my notes. With a dose of the flu nagging at my head I really didn't want to be anywhere but in... more travel advice

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Powerful Neptune - Bologna Piazza Maggiore Things to Do (4)

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Comments (5)

  • Reply
    craic's Profile Photo
    Feb 13, 2008 at 10:30 AM

    what an amazing opening pic! venice in Bologna. I loved the vibe of the city and really hope to get back.

  • Reply
    saraheg77's Profile Photo
    Jun 4, 2006 at 11:35 PM

    Thanks for the tips! I'm headed to Italy in July & soooo excited!! :) Thanks for visiting my Xunantunich. Hope you get to see the Mayan ruins soon!

  • Reply
    codrutz's Profile Photo
    Apr 30, 2006 at 2:49 PM

    Thanks for the hotel trip. Where is the most praised Bologna from the travel books? :) Oh, and the episode with parking your car freightened me :))

  • Reply
    deecat's Profile Photo
    May 23, 2005 at 5:13 AM

    Excellent introduction. Too bad you were not feeling well while in Bologna. Outstanding intro photograph.

  • Reply
    matcrazy1's Profile Photo
    Feb 18, 2005 at 12:38 PM

    Great shots of Piazza Maggiore!

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