Art, Architecture and Food in Bologna Italy

Ohhh, I owe some darling readers a huge apology! A lot of people tell me that I am living the dream life because I live in Florence, Italy. And while I do love it here and know that it is where I need to be for the moment, life here is not always la bella vita. Since I last wrote to you, I have been on a short trip to Florida to spend some time with my family, was ill and in a lot of pain, and I have been living out of boxes for too long now. I have not written a blog entry in a while because I am having withdrawal pains from creating art, have been sorting out a new life in a new home and some changing relationships, and in general, not feeling myself.

Sometimes someone writes to me to ask if she may write a guest post on my blog. I recently decided to try this out until I can get my feet back on the ground and my head out of the clouds for a bit. Angie Picardo is my first guest blogger and she has chosen to write to you about Bologna, a city north and east of Firenze (Florence’s real name). The artwork is one of mine . . . as are each of the photographs. Thank you for reading!

Art, Architecture and Food in Bologna

Often overshadowed by its better-known neighbors, Bologna is quite a hidden gem. The city offers myriad rewards for the intrepid traveler intent on finding one of the best arts scenes that Italy has to offer.

Bologna’s origins date to 1000 BCE. It was first settled by the Etruscans and Celts, followed by the Romans, and then as a free municipality in the Middle Ages. The city boasts the oldest university in the world – University of Bologna – founded in 1088. Its thousands of students still contribute heavily to Bologna’s vibrant art and culture scene.

The city’s historic center is well-preserved, and it defines Bologna as an artistic and culturally important city. The architecture is distinctive for its warm colors, including vibrant reds, burnt oranges, and yellows. Miles of porticos extend throughout the town center. For museum buffs, the art is world-class. For example, the National Gallery (Pinacoteca Nazionale di Bologna) features a wide range of fine art, including Renaissance portraiture, Mannerism, works of Carracci, and paintings by Guido Reni. The Archeaological City Museum (Museo Civico Archaologico) contains artifacts from almost every stage of Bologna’s civilization. The Roman section features the statue attributed to Emperor Nero, and Etruscan artifacts include rich funeral attires from ancient tombs. Other notable museums include the Medieval Museum, the Municipal Ancient Art Collection, and the International Museum and Library of Music, each featuring impressive collections.

Bologna was named a “European Capital of Culture” in 2000. Because of this distinction, the city raised close to $10 million to transform an underdeveloped neighborhood into an arts district featuring the Manifattura delle Arti, or Factory of the Arts. Many formerly vacant spaces quickly became dynamic hubs of culture. For instance, a slaughterhouse in the area was refurbished as the Cinetica – an institute for film restoration and study – that features free screenings for the public. Art galleries and design studios have sprung up across the city, as young artists flock to join the creative resurgence in Bologna. These galleries include Galleria Neon, Agenzia 04, Metropolis Photogallery, and Stile Libero.

A number of sites have been created to facilitate mingling amongst the creative class. For example, Non mancare! (Don’t miss) the Zo Caffe which serves as a café, art gallery, and venue for ambient-music DJs. In addition, new destinations crop up every month. 2012 marked the long-awaited grand opening of the city’s modern art museum called MAMbo. The 9,500 square meter space brings innovative exhibits from some of the most dynamic artists of contemporary art, featuring nine permanent displays ranging from the latter half of the twentieth century to the present.

Bologna is also renowned for its cuisine; it stands out even in a country known for food. The abundance of classic Italian food has given rise to the town’s nickname, La Grassa, or “the Fat One.” Many Italian specialties originate from Bologna, including tortellini, mortadella and, of course, Bolognese sauce. A number of expansive food markets, including Mercato di Mezzo and Mercato delle Erbe, attract shoppers interested in the freshest local ingredients from nearby farms. Some of the best restaurants in the area – and it’s no easy feat to narrow it down! – include Da Marco (known for its seafood pasta), Diana and its old-fashioned ambience, La Terrazza’s classic Mediterranean fare, and Da Fabio. Visitors with a sweet tooth can find locally-made chocolate at Roccati, Lagana and Drogheria Gilberto, all of which feature fine candies, chocolates and pastries.

Visitors will be pleased with the Mediterranean weather, especially in March through October, when the warmest months allow outdoor enjoyment of food and drink.

Angie Picardo is a staff writer at NerdWallet, a personal finance and travel site dedicated to helping people learn how to get the most from their money, whether it’s booking flights for vacation or choosing between a traditional or Roth IRA. As an undergraduate, she spent time abroad in Florence and hopes to return to Italy for a trip to Bologna.

From Kelly: Happy Summer solstice for the northern hemisphere! We are certainly feeling the summer heat here in Firenze, but we are in the valley of many mountains. Perhaps Bologna is much cooler.

Florence Italy

Cari Amici (Dear Friends),

Sometimes it is difficult to know what is the right thing to do. I have a lot (well, too many) well-intended friends who ask me why I insist on returning to Italy “without a real reason.” Sometimes they will go as far as saying that I have no business going on such a trip and would do better to create art in my American home.

I try most of the time to be polite to these people with my responses, but really there are times in which I want to scream something like, “Are you NUTS? I know what I need more than most people would.” Maybe I will not be enchanted forever by Italy, Florence in particular. Maybe I will stop learning what the Renaissance City has to teach an artist. But right now, I am fascinated. And it is the right choice for my continued growth. And it is rarely important to me if anyone “gets” that.

On the other hand, once people see that you have done this “dangerous” or “risky” thing and not only has nothing bad happened, but life is actually been good, all seems right with the world.

I recently published one of my art newsletters in which I posted some images in order to share some of the reasons that I continue to find Florence so hypnotizing. Check them out by clicking here.


Then I thought I would add a few more here on this blog. I love this image of a woman (with a great gesture!) who stopped in the road to actually answer her phone! This image just struck me as so typical, and yet … funny.

The second image just goes to show you how illusive and wonderful light can be around the buildings in Florence, Italy. I have only seen the light do this one time! It was if the skies were approving of sculpture. Wonderful really.


And these last two images are dedicated to my Aunt Carole (who is also my Godmother), who celebrates her birthday today in Minnesota. Aunt Carole is also one of my coolest supporters. Both images were taken at Gilli’s – a famous store/bar on the corner of Piazza della Repubblica. I got such a kick out of the white chocolate copy of Michelangelo’s “David.” Florence really seems to enjoy chocolate as much as art and various types of coffee. And do not get me started on leather goods . . .

Happy Birthday, Aunt Carole!

Salzburg Austria

Cari Amici (Dear Friends),

I will soon be wrapping up my writings about Salzburg, but since I am not a landscape artist, I just want to share some of these images in one way or another.

There are so many things to do in this area and I confess I did not cross much off of the list. However, I did enjoy some really good chocolate from several of the many confectioneries.





In closing, remember that salz means ‘salt’ and I took this image of a store that sold all kinds of salt products, including these salts for the bath. And no, just because this graffiti shown in the last image says “Texas,” I am not responsible. Sylvia asked me to explain the other line sprayed onto this wall. She liked this idea: “Neither of us can go to heaven unless the other gets in . . .”

Happy Birthday, my friend Vasily Fedorouk!

Chocolate Festival in Florence Italy

Since Thursday, Piazza Santa Croce in Florence, Italy, has hosted the Chocolate Festival. God, a girl could fall in love here! Or perhaps, out. In fact, I saw my friend Janné on the Ponte alle Grazie on Friday afternoon as he peered over the edge into the Fiume Arno (Arno River). He said with some dismay that his girlfriend Alba did not even look at him for a whole hour because she was so enchanted by what she saw at the Chocolate Festival. She especially enjoyed the large sculpture of a chocolate pig. I wish you could have seen his sweet, young sad face as he described their visit there the night before. (No worries, he was not feeling suicidal. He was simply waiting for her to arrive for their lunch date.)



My favorite temptations that I drooled over but have not succumbed to (yet?) were the chocolate liquors, a chocolate with curry, and some choco balls rolled in pistachio. And I am totally enchanted by the assortment of tools, such as pliers, made entirely from chocolate and dusted to look like they are rusty tools. And, some chocolate teas caught my eye. Oh, did I forget the candied ginger dipped in chocolate? Hmmm . . . will I be able to resist returning tomorrow with some euros in hand? It is the last day of this year’s Chocolate Festival in Firenze.