Sunny and colourful Bologna
The hords of people in front of the basilica didn't enable me to take a picture of its façade but in the end the magic of this building happens when you enter it. I was surprised to see such a small and uncluttered church. Living in Italy you would expect to see Renaissance style popping out at every corner of a street but here it was all about modesty. The church was so simple that I didn't even think of taking its picture. It was only going further that I understood why Basilica Santo Stefano is also called "il complesso delle sette chiese" (the complex of the seven churches). It is said that the construction of the basilica was an idea of San Petronio (bishop of Bologna from 431 to 450), the saint patron of the town. He wanted the religious building to imitate the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. Bologna is a very surprising town in terms of dimensions and space. In a previous post I stated that Bologna looked like the typical medieval town and as such you will find tiny streets, porticos, buildings of medium height, in brief it is a human sized town. But don't let all this fool you ! Opening the door of a church or a palazzo here really is a thrilling experience, it's like discovering a brand new world : the dimensions and space management are never like you would have expected them to be. And speaking of it, basilica Santo Stefano is absolutely a place to visit to witness what I am talking about. It is huge like..HUGE, I mean who would have believed that passing through the tiniest door ever this place was really hiding 4 other churches ? (now did you get why this basilica is known as the complex of the seven churches ?)
Though the whole building is surprising, I do have my favourites that I chose to show you along with my "tourist" outfit (truth is to show you how extraordinary this basilica is I should rent a plane to take its picture from above) :
The Cortile of Pilato was the place that enchanted me the most in the basilica. Seeing it I could picture the monks walking and enjoying this green setting. My mind even started wandering around remembering some excerpts of The Name of the Rose by Umberto Eco (if you don't know this book and the film they made based on it starring Sean Connery, then get to know them ! It is a delightful way to learn about the Middle Ages)
Feeling comfortable in what I am wearing and no feet pain is what make an outfit valid for me to play the tourist. If you follow me here on Incognito, you will realize (really hope so!) that my style is very laid-back. People always think that my style is kind of studied and sophisticated when all I strive for is to feel comfortable. That is the very reason why some of my everyday looks can easily become nightout ones. To do so I often change my shoes or my hairstyle and make up to look more classy, sexy, nerdy, funny etc..by the way remember my posts about reinventing my outfits ?
Another favorite of mine in the basilica is the church of San Vitale and Sant'Agricola. You will find every people visiting the basilica resting in its small garden.
Quite a nice place to rest, read or admire Piazza Santo Stefano right ? I like the contrast between the lively piazza swarming with people and this quiet garden. I believe that entering basilica Santo Stefano enabled me to finally understand why having greenery and gardens was so important in monasteries : they bring peace of mind. This explains why I didn't notice how noisy the piazza was when what separates it from the garden is a mere gate.
I initially wore a jacket and a cardigan with this outfit, but had to take them off because Mother Nature turned extremely lenient and finally let us have a taste of spring.
In conclusion of this post : when coming to Italy DON'T rush at cities like Rome, Venice or Florence. Instead come to smaller towns, they will suprise you ! And before I forget this post was also about my outfit, with or without cardigan ?
