I arrived in Bologna, Italy last night and got a pretty interesting tour of the city with Nick, our host from the Emilia Romagna Tourism Board. I was excited to hit the city center during the day to check things out and do some photos. In addition to all the photos I normally would take with my DSLR, I wanted to try and see if I could find enough interesting photos to do an iPhone only post. Several of us are going on an Instagram tour on Sunday, organized by the tourism board and some local Italian photographers, so it was a perfect time to get in a little practice.
And honestly, I tend to be a bit slower with post processing, so this was a good exercise in preparation for Sunday’s tour with the iPhone photo pros.
I know there is quite a divide on whether iPhone photography is even “real” or should be called photography. There is still skill and composition needed to make a picture pop or give it an interest level that will make people take notice of it. Yes, it may not be as technical as what we shoot with our DSLRs, but I’ve seen some iPhone photos that have blown me away. And while I took similar photos with my DSLR today, the post-processing steps will yield entirely different photos.
So today, here’s a look at my first full day in Bologna for #BlogVille, with only an iPhone.
Welcome to #BlogVille!
One of the first things I saw on arrival — we did not know which apartment number was ours and as you scroll up the list, there is no missing it. Welcome to the start of my #BlogVille experience!
Stone Benches at Archiginnasio
When we walked in the inner courtyard of the Archiginnasio, I was instantly fascinated with the stone benches in the corner. The Archiginnasio is home to the oldest Western University — The University of Bologna, or Alma Mater Studiorum. This was definitely a building that captivated me so I plan to go back and really explore the grounds later this week.
Courtyard of the Archiginnasio
This is an example of some of the ornate architecture in the University of Bologna. What’s interesting with this photo is the illusion that the courtyard makes a U shape out, however, it’s actually the opposite — just a different effect achieved through the use of a panoramic iPhone app to capture this.
Fontana di Nettuno (Fountain of Neptune)
The famous statue of Neptune is considered a symbol of Bologna and today, it was quite a meeting place for kids and groups enjoying a beautiful afternoon in Bologna. The fountain dates back to 1563.
Building Detail on the Palazzo Communale
The eagles on the Palazzo Communale caught my attention right away — they are located under the large window near the statue of God Nepture. The left eagle has been attributed to Michelangelo.
The Two Towers of Bologna (Due Torri)
The “Two Towers” is a symbol of Bologna. It’s a bit hard to tell at this angle, but the tower on the left is a leaning tower, much like Pisa. These date back to Bologna’s medieval past and are known as Garisenda and Asinelli. You can climb the stairs of the taller tower, Asinelli, but Garisenda leans too steeply to safely climb. Be prepared though — it’s like 500 steps to get to the top of Asinelli.
Shopping in Bologna – The Disney Store
Bologna has some really nice stores and shopping options that could give my credit cards a workout. When we were walking back from dinner, we happened down one of the main shopping streets and I was ecstatic to see a Disney Store among the shops! Not surprising for those who know me well — the Disney Store was one of the first stops this morning!
Fresh Food Markets
When wandering around Bologna, we stumbled on a small alley street lined with nothing but butchers, vegetable stands, and stores selling packaged pasta and other cooking supplies. This is where you will definitely find me one afternoon later this week. Good thing I have a bigger luggage allowance going home!
Fresh Cheese from the Emilia Romagna Region
Cheese! Glorious cheese! Some people cave to chocolate, I am all about the fromage! My love for gourmet cheese only intensified after moving to Asia for three years where dairy is nearly non-existent in the Taiwanese diet. I think I have died and gone to fromage heaven in Bologna!
Piazza Maggiore
We are quite lucky that the #BlogVille apartment is located just steps from Bologna’s famed Piazza Maggiore. It is often considered one of the most important squares in all of Italy and today serves as a meeting point for residents and is used for various events, demonstrations, and festivals.
Wine from Emilia Romagna
The best thing to pair with cheese of course is a good wine. And in doing my “job” of writing about the food and wine in Bologna, it was important that I start sampling right away…no matter how early in the day! We stopped by Bar Giuseppe in the Piazza Maggiore for a bite to eat and some wine. The photo on my DSLR is much more clear, but the reflection of “gelateria bistrot” is in the glass and a bonus glimpse of the piazza.
Margherita Pizza
Ok, I know Bologna is not known for pizza, but I was craving one nonetheless. After visiting Naples several years ago, I developed a deep love for pizza, ironic since it was a food I rarely ever ate in the United States. The margherita pizza is really a symbol of Italian food with its resemblance to the Italian flag with the red (tomato), white (mozzarella) and green (basil).
There is a lot more to Bologna than the few iPhone photos I’ve posted here, but this was an interesting way to photograph a bit of the city. Tomorrow, I will explore more of Bologna’s historic city center and continue the oh so tough job of scouting out the best in food and wine here.
I am in Bologna, Italy from May 7 – May 16 as part of the #BlogVille project, hosted by the Emilia Romagna Tourism Board, but all views and opinions expressed are my own.
