Chris & Kelly's Travel Adventures

Today was all about churches.  Bologna has 7 major churches within the historic district.  They range in age from 500 A.D. to the 17th century.  We managed to visit 6!  I apologize in advance if your eyes hurt from all the photo's, we are trying to show highlights from things that move us during the adventure...but honestly there is so much it is often overwhelming.  Anyone who would prefer a 3 day slideshow...raise your hand! :P. The lead photo is from probably our favorite church of the day- Chiesa San Francesco.

Below is a series of photo's of the largest church Chiesa San Petronio, our hotel (Art Hotel Orologio) is right next door.  San Petronio is the largest, but unfinished and has 22 side chapels.  It does contain a meridian line and a Foucault pendulum which was pretty cool. 

On our walk to the 2nd church we cut through an open air mall.  One of my daughters asked for a purse from Italy, so I've been on the hunt.  I happened to see a purse (pictured below) in one window.  I tried to enter the store, only to find the door locked and a sign saying by appointment only!  Only then did I look up and realize the store was Louis Vuitton, with Gucci, Prada and Versace stores all around us.  I did manage to gain entry to look at the bag (just for fun) only to look up and see Chris outside the window playfully wagging his finger...no, no, no! :D

Chiesa San Dominico.  Unique for using drapery cloth to cover interior nave pillars, glass chandeliers and beautiful fresco ceilings.

Chiesa San Stefano.  This was the oldest church.  The tale is that in 500 A.D. the Bishop Petronio (later became the saint who the 1st church was named after) built an alter over the local temple to the goddess Isis.  This church has many parts like a maze, added on over the years, so is very difficult to photograph the whole...I think there are over 16 sides to this church.  The interior is very plain and modest. 

Chiesa Santa Maria dei Servi.  Plain exterior, but with typical Bolognese portico's.  This church was very pretty with many beautiful oil paintings, stained glass and wrought iron chandeliers. 

Pisa is not the only one with leaning towers, Bologna has 2, side by side.

On our walk we located the two "hunks" of Bologna, they decorate the entrance to one of the many museums of the city.

I am so CONFUSED!!!

Chiesa San Francesco.  This was our favorite of the day.  Generally modest, but beautiful stained glass, high arches and I can't even adequately describe the blue marble chest.  Also, there was a teaching room located directly behind the main alter.

Chiesa San Pietro.  First thing we saw in the church were the beautiful sculptures, still not sure what they were made of.  This church had the most gorgeous side chapels we've ever seen.  Ceiling fresco's of vibrant colors and this church was the most modern of all we've seen today.

We head to Florence tomorrow. :)