View of a Local in Bologna, Italy

Marketing and communication consultant Fabrizio Ciannamea has a fantastic eye for photography. As his wife-to-be Patrizia puts it, he “sees things that others don’t see”. In this View of a Local interview Fabrizio shares his view of his adopted hometown Bologna in Italy.

Briefly, please could you tell us a bit about yourself?

My name is Fabrizio, I was born in Bari (Apulia region in the south of Italy) in 1970. Now I’m living in Bologna city for my job. I’m a marketing and communication consultant working for private companies and public institutions.

I live in Bologna with my future wife Patrizia. We love to travel. Often in spring and summer we travel on our motorbike, and obviously my camera is the first thing I bring! On our last trip, last summer, we went to Finland with 3 of our friends.

The photos on your Fotografie in Rete blog are beautiful. How long have you been in to photography and what do you enjoy most about it?

I’ve been passionate about photography since I turned 20. Now I shoot with a Canon 20D (17-85mm / 70-200mm f4 / 50mm f1.8), and I publish my favourite photos on my photoblog fotografie in rete.

Do you have a favourite motif?

I love to photograph people from behind, windows and doors, secret corners in town and the countryside. But colours and atmospheres are what often attract my eye. Patrizia, my future wife, says that I “see things that others don’t see” - I laugh, but perhaps she is right.

Do you use your photographs professionally?

No this is a hobby for me, but sometimes I sell some photos (for business catalogues, trade fairs or private use), and many of my friends have my photos on their walls.

How long have you lived in Bologna?

I’ve lived in Bologna since 1999 after my master’s degree in marketing communication. For me, Bologna is the city that has marked an important step in my life.

What do you like most about living in Bologna?

Bologna is a wonderful medieval town in the centre of Italy. The city is truly fascinating, with its red bricks and tiled roofs, with 26 miles of porticoes, surrounded by green hillsides.

The style of life is very attractive to me. Not too big but dynamic, and with more cultural events (concerts, cinema, festivals …).

Is there anything you do not like about living in Bologna?

Sometimes I wish I was living in a real metropolitan city, but the pleasure of being able to go to the cinema, theatre or to work without my car is irreplaceable to me. Here we say that we miss the sea, a lot!

Why should travellers visit Bologna?

For the people, the atmosphere, the museums, the new Metropolitan art gallery, for the culture of the food (I would have some little excellent restaurants to suggest to you and your readers), for the great hospitality and attention to details. It is an incredible city, amongst the top five Italian cities for quality of life.

What do you wish travellers would do when they visit Bologna?

They will have to reserve a room in the city centre and immerse themselves in the colours, the scents, the bars and the people. After they will be able to visit over 50 museums, go to the theatre or buy a book in one of the 200 bookstores. But I repeat, Bologna is a city that must be seen on foot.

What do you wish travellers would stop doing when they visit Bologna?

Stay only one day/night. Often when people organize a trip, they plan a “one day tour”, but Italian cities should be lived.

If a visitor had time to do or see only one thing in Bologna, what should it be?

A walk to the greatest public square “Piazza Maggiore” between the statue of Neptune, D’Accursio Palace, King Enzo’s palace. Try also to enjoy the fascinating Piazza Santo Stefono at night. But please, find the time to stop and eat in a restaurant.

If a visitor had time for only one meal in Bologna, which dish would you recommend?

A dish of “Tortellini” (hand made pasta cooked in meat broth), tagliatelle, roast meat or “bollito alla bolognese” and the “Parmigiano” cheese.

Do you have any other insider tips for visitors to Bologna?

Grant yourself a few days, and if you’re a motorbiker you should not miss out on a trip from Bologna to Florence.

Moreover the tourism office in Piazza Maggiore (the public square in the centre of the city) is always at your disposal for any information you need.

Note

Anni Poulsen: I don’t know about the rest of you, but I’m sold on Bologna! A city that should be seen on foot is my kind of city. Before you start packing your suitcase for Bologna, you should really head on over to Fabrizio’s photoblog fotografie in rete. He shares some amazing photos there not just from Italy, but also from his travels to other countries.

The photos above are of the Madonna’s Statue in Malpighi plaza and the Asinelli Towers, built in the 12th century and a famous landmark of Bologna. Both photos were kindly lent to us by Fabrizio, all rights belong to Fabrizio Ciannamea.

Put your pin in our map

Our View of a Local series consists of interviews with local people in various towns and cities in different countries.

The map below shows the places covered so far.

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For more information about how you can take part in our View of a Local series, please go to our View of a Local page >>

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