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Further Distractions Santa Maria della Vita Tucked away down Via Clavature is the church of Santa Maria della Vita, which shelters one of Bologna’s most dramatic works of art. When one steps into the gloomy interior of the church, the bustle of the lively street is immediately muted. Nicolo dell’Arca’s Pieta, known historically as the Mourning Marys around the Dead Christ, stands inside the church – a silent ‘scream in stone’, as it was once memorably described by the Italian poet, Gabriele D’Annunzio. Via Clavature 10 Tel: (051) 236 245 or 224 002. Transport: Bus 10, 11, 13 or 14; a short walk from Piazza Maggiore. Opening hours: Mon-Sat 0800-1230 and 1430-1830, Sun 1630-1800 (Apr-Sep); Daily 0730-1800 (Oct-Mar). Admission: Free. Santuario di San Luca (Sanctuary of San Luca) The 18th-century sanctuary in the hills three and a half kilometres (two miles) from the city centre, is only of moderate interest in itself but the 666 arches alternating with 15 chapels of the portico leading to it are impressive. The icon of the Virgin Mary is attributed to St Luke and every year, in May, it is brought down to the city for a week. The view from the sanctuary a dramatic one and the hills are cool and calm compared to the city centre. For those looking to work off some of the worst effects of ‘Bologna, La Grassa’, walking at least one way is good exercise and opens up a cross-section of the city. Via di San Luca, Colle della Guardia Tel: (051) 614 2339. Transport: Bus 20 from Via Indipendenza stops at the start of the portico by Porta Saragozza, southwest of the city centre. Opening hours: Mon-Sat 0700-1230 and 1430-1700, Sun 1230-1430 (Nov-Feb); Mon-Sat 0700-1230 and 1430-1800, Sun 1230-1430 (Mar and Oct); Mon-Sat 0700-1230 and 1430-1900, Sun 1230-1430 (Apr-Sep). Admission: Free. Museo Civico Archeologico (Archaeological Museum) This superb museum – greatly improved in honour of Bologna’s being one of the European Cities of Culture for 2000 – is located in the 15th-century Ospedale della Morte, the old mortuary. The new Egyptian rooms in the basement are well presented and feature paintings from the tomb of Horemhed. The Roman section is also first rate. Nevertheless, this museum has always been best known for having one of the finest Etruscan sections outside Lazio, featuring finds from the city of Felsing (from the ninth century BC to the Gallic invasion in the mid-fourth century BC). Besides important works, such as the Askos Benacci sculpture of a man on a horse that is in turn riding upon another llama-like animal, the collections are strong on aspects of daily life. There is also an excellent Numismatic section with Greek, Roman, Renaissance and Papal coins and medals. Via dell’Archiginnasio 2. Tel: (051) 233 849. E-mail: mca@comune.bologna.it Website: www.comune.bologna.it/musei/archeologico/index.html Transport: All buses to Piazza Maggiore go past the museum. Opening hours: Tues-Sat 0900-1830, Sun and holidays 1000-1830. Admission: €4. Sala Borsa (Stock Exchange) It is tribute to both the strength of Bologna’s cultural life and the forward thinking of the local authorities that the Sala Borsa has turned its back on the world of high finance to serve as a meeting point and source of reference for the citizens of the city. This grand old building now forms Italy’s largest multimedia library, with over 180,000 volumes, 5000 DVDs, 10,000 CDs, 130 multimedia terminals and free Internet access. The borsa reopened after its big makeover in 2001 and has already proved popular with Bologna’s large student community, although tourists will be as impressed by the grand interior and the Roman remains below floor level as they will by the amenities. Piazza del Nettuno Tel: (051) 204 400. Fax: (051) 204 420. E-mail: salaborsa@commune.bologna.it Website: www.bibliorecasalaborsa.it Transport: Bus 10, 11, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 27, 29, 30, 37, 90 or 96. Opening hours: Mon 1430-2130, Tues-Fri 0900-2130, Sat 0900-1900. Admission: Free. |
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