28 May Bologna: Time is of the essence
Although our time in Bologna was relatively short, it was still an interesting experience. After waiting an extra 4 hours for our delayed bus to arrive, we were finally en route to Bologna. The ride was a bit longer than expected and when we arrived in Bologna, we sleepily trudged off the bus and started on our journey to the hotel. Luckily Hotel Porta San Mamolo was about two blocks from our bus stop. Getting to finally plop down on the comfy bed was definitely the highlight of my evening.
The next morning was much more eventful and we started off the day with class and then gelato at Cremeria Funivia in downtown Bologna. This gelato shop was different than most others that I had experienced because of its modern atmosphere and naturally pure flavors. Immediately after our gelato adventure, we went to the University of Bologna to see one of the first ever college classrooms and library. The university of Bologna was the first and oldest established university in the world and has been since the late eleventh century. It’s rich history includes many inspiring professors that now have their own mini shield plaque dedicated to their time at the university. As you can imagine, these commemorative shields are everywhere around the campus, outside and inside the buildings, and they honor every one of the professors who have taught at the University of Bologna. The student body also consisted of inspiring and amazing people such as Dante Alighieri who studied there. It was so interesting to learn about the university’s history and its overall impact on the world as a result of its students and professors. Later that day, we had the opportunity to also see the university’s library which was exciting. I love books in general, but old books are the best! It was amazing to see all of the different categories of books and their place on the shelf. The large room was completely filled wall-to-wall with books that made my jaw drop in awe. The disappointing part is that we only got to witness just one room filled with books. But there were many other rooms that made up the entirety of the library, although they cannot be viewed by the public. And even though they were off limits, there was a barred door that allowed visitors to see through to the other side. As I peered through the door, my eyes found shelves and shelves of books as far as the eye could see, as if they went on for eternity. It was like heaven to me and I really wish that I would have been allowed to see all of the remaining books up close. Despite this, I am still more than satisfied the tour that we were allowed to take, and wouldn’t trade it for the world.
After visiting the university, my small group decided to explore in the city. We did some shopping and finally made our way to a local restaurant just down the road from our hotel. It was here that I was able to try Bolognese sauce for the first time. My life has never been the same. It was one of the most flavorful sauces that I had ever tasted. It is Bologna’s signature sauce containing a multitude of meats that are simmered together for more than 8 hours. It was one of the best tasting meat sauces that I had ever tried.
Although my time in Bologna was well spent, I feel like there is more to the city of Bologna than we had time to see, and I will definitely be returning one day to discover its remaining secrets. And for the Bolognese sauce!
