Italy

The Monte dei Cappuccini is one of Turin's landmarks. From the 11th century onwards the Mount was a forification (known as bastita) to defend the cith, and thus was the scene of attacks and sieges. Since mediaeval times a church has stood on the summit of the Mount in honour of the Virgin Mary. It is in ore-baroque style. In front of the church you can see the big cross and virgin marry statue beside it. Inside the church, so many magnificent ornamental relief. The old tabernacle inside there is made in 1638 by German guy.

This church is full of history of Torino city. The central part of the church, which is paved in stone from Barge, leads to two sides chapels. The one on the right (from the entrance) offers Carlo di Castellamonte's marble decoration. The pattern is tried to be duplicated in the left chapel. Above the altar, there is portray of the Madonna holding out the Infant to St. Francis, in the presence of St. Lawrence. It is not original because the original one is kept in the Savoy Gallery. Below the St. Maurice altar table rest the remains of Beatified Ignatius of Santhia, who lived on the Mount for many years.
The main building of Monte dei Cappuccini is devided into two, one is becoming church and the other one is a museum, owned by italian alpen club, namely Museo Nazionale della Montagna.
From here, you can see all of the city of Torino in winter or fall season. Not in the spring or summer, which the trees will block your view with its leaves.

Stupinigi is a small town located in the south part of Torino. It can be reached by bus number 41. There is a UNESCO herritage there, called as Palazzina di caccia di Stupinigi. From the story, it is know as the place for high rank Savoy family during deer hunting. Inside the palazzina, it's full of ornament made by venecia people. At the back of the house there is a national natural park which long time ago used by the family for their hobby hunting. This park is very big but no more deer anymore. Unfortunately, the palazzina will not open until December 2008 due to renovation

The downtown of Stupinigi is not in this palazzina. It is around 500 meter where actually new residence area. So, there was nothing there.

I give that title to Bologna because I can see many old buildings there. Almost a prehistoric city. Old church, old building, old statue, and so on.
I visited Bologna on April 28, 2007 by cheap train from Torino. It costs only 11 euro, so totally 22 euro for go and back. Bologna train station is one of the most crowded station in Italy, thanks to its position which is in the center of Italy. There was a bloody tragedy in 1980, when the bom blown in the station. When you came the waiting room of the station, you will see 'cracked stone' monument with all of the names of the people who died.
Near the station, you can see an old and big park. Unique style of Bologna is that there is always 'portico' (elegant and extensive arcades) when you walk. So, don't worry about sun shine, wet rain, or snow. The downtown of Bologna is Piazza Nettuno (Plaza of Neptune). In there you can find a basilica of San Petronio which is one of the biggest church in the world. Unfortunately, when I visited there i could not bring my camera. Also, it was forbidden to bring your bag, I don't know why?

Near that place, you can see the symbol of Bologna. The two towers, quite funny because the height is not same, one is taller than the other. Bologna university is known as the 2nd oldest university in the world. Almost all faculties were available there.

Spread in the city, you can find many old churches with very old ornament. Full painted or beautiful relief. Bologna also has a church called as San Luca which located on the top of the hill. Again with 'portico' when you climb (walk) to that that church.

Do you have 2 cent euro coint? Please check it and see the picture of one side of the coin. That picture is mole antonelliana of Torino city, or people just say Mole. The name is coming from the person who design this building. Originally, this building is dedicated for Jewish synagoga (church for Jewish) but as there was a little disagreement between Antonelliana (the designer) and Jewish group related to the design and cost of the buiding, they stop to built it. Finally, the Torino goverment continued to built it following Antonelliana and it reaches 167 meters. Since 2000, this building is dedicated for the national film museum. You can go inside but if you want to enter the museum you have to pay. The mole has a very nice shape, not round shape.

One of the intereting thing is, in one side of the (large) roof, they put the fibonacci number (a series of number which has special order) made by Italian mathematician, Fibonacci. That number will be clearly seen during night time. In the week end, the will open the Mole, and you can go to up till the small section above the roof but don't be surprise with the queue. Just imagine, my friend who stay in Torino since he was young never go up although he really wants. Why because of that. When he comes to Mole, the queue to go up is very very very long. Poor guy.