I always enjoy wandering around this city; not only is it rich in distinctive monuments, but it is also a place where you can breathe in an atmosphere of culture.
I visited Piazza Maggiore—the main square and, in my opinion, the true heart of this important city—and also took a look inside the Basilica of San Petronio; said to be one of the largest brick Gothic churches in the world, it features a distinctive façade that remains partly unfinished. The square is also home to the Fountain of Neptune—known to locals as "Il Gigante" (The Giant)—which was created in the 16th century by Giambologna, a renowned artist and arguably one of the most important figures of the Bolognese Renaissance.
While in the area, I visited Palazzo Boncompagni at Via del Monte 8—one of the city's most important historic Renaissance buildings. It is now a museum housing various masterpieces by different artists, such as a work by Pistoletto, the famous Italian sculptor and artist whom many of you likely know.
In my opinion, the best thing about visiting these cities is simply strolling through the streets without a specific destination in mind; after all, around every corner there is always some place, a building, or a street worth admiring. That is the real beauty of Italy—and, I think, of any country in the world.
In the end, I did make my usual rounds at the Nanni bookstore—one of the most renowned spots, where I often find and buy art books. I was a bit unlucky this time, as I didn't find anything interesting; still, with access to libraries and so many titles available online, you can find things remotely. Even so, it’s always nice to spend some time inside these bookstores, discovering books—sometimes even dusty ones—that are a joy to come across.
I hope you found my tour of Bologna interesting. I hope you, too, get the chance to visit this city—which may not be as famous as others, but which, in my opinion, has a lot to offer.