Graffiti is not to everyone's taste, and some may argue that it doesn't belong in a city as beautiful as Bologna.
Personally, I'm quite a fan of it (as long as it isn't anywhere it shouldn't be). It's fun walking around and finding something that catches your eye. There is a LOT of graffiti in Bologna, and sadly a majority of it seems to be tags, or illegible scribbling.
There are some absolutely wonderful examples present as well, from intricate designs, to simple words, and I'll share my favourite pieces on this page.
'Be who you are, because who you are is amazing.'
What a wonderful message! I saw this on the long walk up to The Sanctuary of the Madonna of San Luca, adorned on one of the hundreds of porticoes that line the route, and I told myself to take a photo of it on the way back. I then walked slightly past it, which meant I had to walk up more of those exhausting steps, but this was worth it.
'La vita è un dono - Life is a gift.'
I saw this on one of my first days in Bologna. After making the decision to leave London, a full-time job, and perceived security, it felt like the right message, at the right time.
This is near our studio apartment on the beautiful Santo Stefano. The portico's found throughout the city provide ample opportunity to display artwork.
I don't think I will find a more random bit of graffiti during my time in Bologna, or perhaps anywhere. For those unsure, this is an incredibly random reference to a minor UK celebrity. She was famously married to magician Paul Daniels, and has appeared on numerous UK reality shows. I'm not sure why this person hates Debbie McGee, or what Debbie has done to deserve such vitriol. I'm not sure we'll ever find out.
I had a wander through the 'Jewish Ghetto' area of Bologna one afternoon, and there is plenty of graffiti to be found. It's a really interesting area of the city, and I'd highly recommend navigating the many narrow and intertwined streets. It's close to the city centre, yet feels a million miles away from the hustle and bustle of Piazza Maggiore.
Below is a slideshow of various graffiti and street art from the area, including a wonderful Le Due Torri piece, some beautifully drawn pieces, and the word 'tits'. I have no idea if it means the same in Italian as it does in the UK!
I went for a walk the other day, no real direction in mind, just to see what I stumbled across. Graffiti wise, I wasn't disappointed. I saw plenty during my amble, including a great piece featuring a potato, and a beautiful bit of artwork near the University district. Check out the photos below!
