Each city has its main thoroughfare and Bologna has Via dell’Indipendenza.
Via dell’Indipendenza is not as pretty as the Champs-Elysees of Paris or the Andrassy Avenue of Budapest and but it has its own rusty yet elegant air around it. I personally loved the red-orange and warm beige colours of the buildings flanking this street which are lined with arches and vaulted porticoes. It renders a very distinct presence that tells you – hey, you are indeed in Bologna.
This is also the street, and the scenic route if I may say, that connects Bologna train station (those arriving with the train) and the Piazza dell’8 Agosto parking garage (those with a car) to Piazza Maggiore. Thus, no one can miss this!
I arrived in Bologna with my rental car and having been in Italy many times, I knew that the centrum (centro storico) is off limits to non-resident cars. There are cameras stationed everywhere and a hefty fine awaits (negligent) trespassers. You are not excused if you do not know the rule. Based on my online research, I learned that the best parking in the city is the Piazza dell 8’Agosto. Once you step out of the underground garage, you are brought to Via dell’Indipendenza. Now that is handy huh? This is exactly what I did.
The street is also the main shopping thoroughfare of the city presenting all the familiar international brands, which I often ask myself, “Why would I want to shop at a Zara, H&M or insert a more upscale fashion label here, when I can find them in Amsterdam and Utrecht?†If you want specialty shops and local brands, as well as visit the Italian signature houses, then you better search elsewhere such as at Via dell’Archiginnasio and Via Farini. There are however a good number of really cool bars, osterias, trattorias and restaurants on Via dell’Indipendenza. During the weekends, the street is closed to vehicular traffic which is very nice.
Just before reaching Piazza Maggiore, you can find the Cattedrale Metropolitana di San Pietro on the left hand side. It is a beautiful old church which is a good distraction from all the shopping temptation this street offers.
Here are the pictures!
Travel Period: May 2016
Destination: Bologna (Emilia-Romagna), Italy
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