In Bologna, there are many attractions to be visited, but the most famous is the Torre degli Asinelli, together with Torre Garisenda. The two towers are dominating the city and the tallest one is open for tourists who can enjoy a suggestive panorama from the top. They were built during the XII century and it is interesting to read the history. It includes the subsidence of the ground that makes the Garisenda tower less tall and not completely straight.
Bologna, love, and donkeys
Most of the people when they are in Bologna focus on the architecture. That is good, but it is more curious to know the legend about the construction of Torre degli Asinelli. There was a farmer with two donkeys and he was working in the field. At a certain moment, the two animals started to kicking like crazy.
He tried to calm them down, but it was almost impossible. Meanwhile, he was managing the donkeys, he saw a portmanteau full of gold coins. He kept it and he decided to improve the lifestyle of his family. But he did it step by step, to hide the treasure and his luck.
In the years his son grew up, he was a charming young man and he fell in love with a beautiful and noble girl. Typical in Bologna and Italy. Love is always in the air. She was attracted as well, but her father didn’t agree with their love. So he said to the guy that he could marry his daughter after having built the tallest tower in the city. Of course, it was like a hard task, and, considering the condition of the young farmer, it could take many years to be completed.
The boy went back home and told the challenge to his father, who revealed to him the secret about the gold. In ten years, thanks to the coins he could realize the tower. Then he decided to dedicate the building to the two donkeys. He asked again the hand of the girl and her father could not say no anymore since the guy won the challenge. It is only a legend, but a beautiful one and you know: in every legend, there is some truth. You can visit Bologna from another point of view.
Around Bologna
When you go up in the tower (478 steps without elevator), maybe with your love, you will feel part of the legend. After that long climb you will get hungry and a few steps for the tower there is a great restaurant. It is perfect if you want to spend a good time with your love and of course, do it with luxury. In Via dell’Indipendenza, close to Piazza Maggiore, the same street as the I Portici Hotel Bologna, there is a five stars luxury hotel called Grand Hotel Majestic. These two accommodations are the best in the city according to my opinion.
Let’s go back to the restaurant in Bologna. Inside the building of Grand Hotel Majestic, it is hosted the famous restaurant I Carracci. It has a superb dining room decorated with frescoes made in the XVI century by the Carracci brothers and with great paintings on the walls. The refined setting is well combined with the very good dishes prepared by the executive chef and his staff. They use the traditional recipes of Emilia Romagna with some influence coming from other Italian regions.
The various menu gives the chance to taste the Bolognese cuisine. Meanwhile, the dining room set allows eating in a museum. Because it is full of ancient and precious artworks, plus it offers an elegant and quiet atmosphere. During your stay in Bologna, a dinner at I Carracci restaurant is something that you have to do because you will live a unique and unforgettable experience.
Italy and legends
Since ancient times, Italians liked a lot to create legends. Most of them are so cool and they make history more lovely. If you want to know more about curiosities and facts about Italy surf the section of my blog. I am going to share often my impression plus some information about my country. To be updated follow me and subscribe to my newsletter. You will get weekly news and also some extra content.
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