Back home in Brisbane, there’s a thing we like to do from time to time that we call ‘Tourist Sunday.’

It’s when we imagine ourselves as tourists in our own town and do something we wouldn’t normally do – take the boat upriver to Lone Pine, join a local history walk, head over to the Breakkie Creek Hotel for lunch. You get the idea.

When you become accustomed to a city, it can be easy to overlook what attracted you to it in the first place.

So when our lovely friends from Brisbane, Kate and Greg, interrupted their long Italian holiday to visit us here in Bologna, it gave us the opportunity to see the city again with fresh eyes. And what fun it turned out to be!

 

First stop on the itinerary is Piazza Maggiore. It's the heart of the city - geographically and culturally.
First stop on the itinerary is Piazza Maggiore. It's the heart of the city - geographically and culturally.
Tucked into one corner of the piazza is the city's most famous fountain - Fontana del Nettuno.
Tucked into one corner of the piazza is the city's most famous fountain - Fontana del Nettuno.
And opposite is Bologna's most important, though unfinished, church - the Basilica di San Petronio.
And opposite is Bologna's most important, though unfinished, church - the Basilica di San Petronio.
In the 1500s there was a plan to extend this church to make it the biggest in the world - bigger even than St Peter's in Rome. But the Pope of the day wasn't keen on that idea and put a stop to the project.
In the 1500s there was a plan to extend this church to make it the biggest in the world - bigger even than St Peter's in Rome. But the Pope of the day wasn't keen on that idea and put a stop to the project.
On the day of our visit, the hem of my skirt didn't quite reach my knees; the simple solution was to pay a euro for a disposable, though quite fetching, wrap.
On the day of our visit, the hem of my skirt didn't quite reach my knees; the simple solution was to pay a euro for a disposable, though quite fetching, wrap.
We left San Petronio and headed round to Palazzo Archiginnasio, the seat of Bologna University from 1563 to 1805.
We left San Petronio and headed round to Palazzo Archiginnasio, the seat of Bologna University from 1563 to 1805.
The walls and ceilings of this magnificent building are decorated with more than 6,000 coats of arms commemorating students, professors and patrons of the time.
The walls and ceilings of this magnificent building are decorated with more than 6,000 coats of arms commemorating students, professors and patrons of the time.
Bologna University nurtured and developed some of the finest minds in Europe, including that of law professor, Bettisia Gozzadini, the first woman to earn a degree (1237) and teach at a university.
Bologna University nurtured and developed some of the finest minds in Europe, including that of law professor, Bettisia Gozzadini, the first woman to earn a degree (1237) and teach at a university.
The Archiginnasio was also where the university's anatomy students were taught. This laboratory was destroyed during WWII and later recreated using materials salvaged from the rubble.
The Archiginnasio was also where the university's anatomy students were taught. This laboratory was destroyed during WWII and later recreated using materials salvaged from the rubble.
The Archiginnasio Library - and one of the palazzo's two lecture halls.
The Archiginnasio Library - and one of the palazzo's two lecture halls.
The walls here are lined with books on subjects including maths, zoology, chemistry and physics.
The walls here are lined with books on subjects including maths, zoology, chemistry and physics.
And to the side, another section of the library, largely unchanged since the 16th century.
And to the side, another section of the library, largely unchanged since the 16th century.
Bologna's mediaeval towers are another landmark. These two - the most prominent of those that remain - mark the place where the ancient Via Emilia entered the city.
Bologna's mediaeval towers are another landmark. These two - the most prominent of those that remain - mark the place where the ancient Via Emilia entered the city.
Part of the Santo Stefano complex, an important religious site in Bologna. It's made up of three churches and a number of other buildings and chapels.
Part of the Santo Stefano complex, an important religious site in Bologna. It's made up of three churches and a number of other buildings and chapels.
These beauties have been keeping watch here since the 14th century.
These beauties have been keeping watch here since the 14th century.
In Bologna's Museo Archeologico, there's a permanent Egyptian exhibition.
In Bologna's Museo Archeologico, there's a permanent Egyptian exhibition.
Greg and I visited a couple of weeks ago; we're always amazed at how many Egyptian artifacts are on display in Italy.
Greg and I visited a couple of weeks ago; we're always amazed at how many Egyptian artifacts are on display in Italy.
Apparently in the early 1800s, like the rest of Europe, the Italian upper class was struck with a kind of Egypt-mania and thousands of artifacts were removed from their country of origin and brought here. Where they remain. Even today.
Apparently in the early 1800s, like the rest of Europe, the Italian upper class was struck with a kind of Egypt-mania and thousands of artifacts were removed from their country of origin and brought here. Where they remain. Even today.
There's a simple joy to be found in wandering the streets of many Italian cities, and Bologna is no different.
There's a simple joy to be found in wandering the streets of many Italian cities, and Bologna is no different.
Wine to the right. Cruel world to the left. Greg is definitely heading in the right direction! :)
Wine to the right. Cruel world to the left. Greg is definitely heading in the right direction! 🙂
Here's what happens when Instagram bloggers and Trip Advisor reviewers recommend your average pasta restaurant. Even on our most touristy days, we don't join the queue here.
Here's what happens when Instagram bloggers and Trip Advisor reviewers recommend your average pasta restaurant. Even on our most touristy days, we don't join the queue here.
Of course, there are lots of terrific local shops in Bologna.
Of course, there are lots of terrific local shops in Bologna.
At this bookstore, Kate and I stocked up on gifts for our grandchildren.
At this bookstore, Kate and I stocked up on gifts for our grandchildren.
Emilia-Romagna is the food capital of Italy, and as Bologna is the capital of Emilia ...
Emilia-Romagna is the food capital of Italy, and as Bologna is the capital of Emilia ...
 
Appropriately, these fish mongers are located in Via Pescherie Vecchie - Old Fishmongers Street. It's right in the heart of Bologna and they've been doing this here for centuries.
Appropriately, these fish mongers are located in Via Pescherie Vecchie - Old Fishmongers Street. It's right in the heart of Bologna and they've been doing this here for centuries.
Around the corner, people have been gathering to eat and drink at Osteria del Sole since 1465.
Around the corner, people have been gathering to eat and drink at Osteria del Sole since 1465.
Bring your own food, buy a drink, settle down and enjoy.
Bring your own food, buy a drink, settle down and enjoy.
We popped in for a quick pre-lunch lambrusco. When in Bologna...! :)
We popped in for a quick pre-lunch lambrusco. When in Bologna...! 🙂
Of course, you can't talk about Bologna without mentioning the city's famous porticoes.
Of course, you can't talk about Bologna without mentioning the city's famous porticoes.
The first porticoes were built here a thousand years ago.
The first porticoes were built here a thousand years ago.
Today, almost 40-kilometres of the covered walkways remain.
Today, almost 40-kilometres of the covered walkways remain.
This is the city's longest; it's made up of 666 arches - every one is numbered.
This is the city's longest; it's made up of 666 arches - every one is numbered.
After all that walking up a steep hill, you arrive at the Sanctuary of the Madonna di San Luca.
After all that walking up a steep hill, you arrive at the Sanctuary of the Madonna di San Luca.
Ah, Bologna ... che bella città! Here's to you!
Ah, Bologna ... che bella città! Here's to you!
And to you to Kate and Greg! Thanks for visiting us ... it was a lot of fun exploring this great city again with you.
And to you to Kate and Greg! Thanks for visiting us ... it was a lot of fun exploring this great city again with you.