The Red, the Learned, the Fat: Over the years Bologna has taken on many nicknames, thanks to the fact that it is the capital of a region, Emilia Romagna, which in Italy is a leader in many sectors. His University, the first in the western world, is always ai first places in the international rankings, and a quarter of the Bolognese are enrolled at the university. The very strong traditions of the area concern cooking, music, politics and culture. In this sense, the seven secrets of Bologna they are little treasures that only a true Bolognese - or an aspiring one - knows. Let's find out together!
Sculpture
The seven secrets of Bologna concern some small artistic details scattered around the city. The first can be found in Santo Stefano, la square of the Seven Churches. Along the street that leads to the square, the faces of some saints are carved on the buildings, except one, which instead represents a gargoyle, the face of a devil. Moving a few meters, we arrive in Piazza Maggiore, the city center, with the Basilica of San Petronio and the fountain of Neptune. Let's position ourselves on the only black tile in the square, behind the statue of the Greek god. Here at certain times of the day, especially at noon, a joke of the solar reflection will show us a rough detail: the thumb of the left hand, strategically placed near the waist, will take on the appearance of a sexual organ.
Architecture
The seven secrets of Bologna also have to do with some architectural details. It is also located in Piazza Maggiore Re Enzo Palace, named after the son of Frederick II of Swabia. Under the palace, at the intersection between the horizontal and vertical arcades, there are some rather particular arches. In fact, if we position ourselves in a corner of the square that is created at the meeting of the arcades, we will be able to speak in the direction of the wall (yes, with our backs to everyone!) And the person on the other side of the intersection will be able to hear us simply leaning the ear towards its portion of the wall: seeing is believing!
Another secret, unsupported by evidence actually, states that on top of the Asinelli tower find the shard of an ancient vase.
The third, on the other hand, concerns via Indipendenza, the thistle of the city. In fact, under the arcades that lead to Piazza Maggiore there are three Latin phrases, which symbolize the pleasures of existence: "Panis vita, cannabis protectio, vinum laetitia". Bread is life, cannabis protects - since Bologna was a great exporter of it in unsuspected times - wine is joy. The last of these secrets is found instead in Major road, between the towers and Piazza Santo Stefano. Wedged between the ceiling trusses of the porch are located three arrows. Legend has it that three guards, launched in pursuit of two criminals, were distracted by the prosperous breasts of some prostitutes overlooking the street. The arrows fired would then reach the roof of the portico.
The window
The last secret concerns via Piella, in the heart of the historic center. In fact, one opens up between the walls of the buildings square slot, just like a window, which shows a small stream, the Moline canal to those looking out onto it. This panorama is therefore known as "Little Venice". Apart from the seven secrets of Bologna, other peculiarities can be encountered in the city, such as the longest porch in the world, consisting of 666 arches in the direction of the Basilica of San Luca, or the longest corridor in the world at the Rizzoli hospital, with a mystery concerning the stained glass windows. In short, what else to add: Bologna and its wonders await you!
