When I go to Bologna I always stay at the Hotel Drapperie. It is reasonably priced, comfortable and the people who work there are friendly and helpful. Best of all it is in Via Drapperie, one of the market streets in Bologna. It is my favourite part of the city.
My room this time was directly above the market and I was awake bright and early to watch the day begin at the fish market below.
it is still dark when they start work
placing the fish on beds of ice
finding the right spot
checking his work
2 large, fairly ugly fish appear- there is worse to come
the table is filling up
set up for the day
the first sale - one of the ugly fish - I hope it tastes better than it looks
Down on the ground, I love the way these fish look in their trays. They look like little works of art. It seems a shame that someone is going to buy them and take them home to eat.
they look very fresh
little orange fish
these were quite big
some of these were still wriggling
such beautiful colours
a mixed box
octopus
sardines
Here is what you have been waiting for – the very ugly fish, although I’m sure his mother loved him.
this fish was huge - it would put you off going swimming
it is called rana - frog fish
I've never see anything like it
The huge fish didn’t last long at the market, somebody took it home. It is wearing some kind of nappy, probably just as well. I can’t imagine how you would cook a fish like this.
clean up time
Most Italians shop at supermarkets. I hope enough people keep shopping in these wonderful street markets, it would be a shame to lose them. I will rent an apartment in Bologna one day, so I can buy here everyday. The hotel also offers a small apartment not far away.
Hotel: Via Drapperie 5, phone 051 223955 http://www.albergodrapperie.com
Apartment: http://www.residencedrapperie.com
Great photos-that fish is amazing! Thank you for the advice on the hotel-it looks like a real find.
By: paninigirl on February 23, 2011
at 3:55 pm
It is a great little hotel in a perfect location.
By: bagnidilucca on February 23, 2011
at 4:03 pm
Loved the description of the fish market and thanks for the details of the hotel. It looks really good. May try it soon. Thanks again
By: Ethel Armstrong on February 23, 2011
at 4:01 pm
I’m sure you will like the hotel and the market is wonderful.
By: bagnidilucca on February 23, 2011
at 4:05 pm
Great pictures!! Definitively inspired me to go more often to the markets. I find the fascinating.
By: Minna on February 23, 2011
at 4:28 pm
I love visiting the food markets in Italian towns.
By: bagnidilucca on February 24, 2011
at 12:13 pm
What a fabulously fishy post! Love it!
By: Moira Drexler on February 23, 2011
at 4:30 pm
I was entranced by those fishy photos. I love fish markets! Thank you 😀
By: Joanna @ Zeb Bakes on February 23, 2011
at 6:15 pm
What about that big one??? It was incredible.
By: bagnidilucca on February 23, 2011
at 8:54 pm
Look at all those fish! Thanks for getting up extra early to take these photos for us! We don’t see anything like that here – as you know, our fishmarkets are all set up in little shops, with glassed and refrigerated cabinets. How lovely to be able to walk amongst boxes of fresh fish and see them up close before making your selection…
By: Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial on February 23, 2011
at 7:24 pm
It is so much fun to wander around these markets. I just love it.
By: bagnidilucca on February 23, 2011
at 8:56 pm
[…] Bird’s eye view – and a very ugly fish […]
By: 498 steps to the top « Bagni di Lucca and Beyond on February 23, 2011
at 8:12 pm
Love fish markets and the different varieties available.
By: mary D on February 23, 2011
at 8:20 pm
I love the Bologna markets. It is great fun to wander looking at all the fabulous things.
By: bagnidilucca on February 23, 2011
at 8:58 pm
How terrific. Thanks for sharing. Ugly indeed! Maybe you could find a recipe for it.
By: Anonymous on February 23, 2011
at 9:38 pm
I wouldn’t know where to start.
By: bagnidilucca on February 23, 2011
at 9:49 pm
There’s something about fish markets, isn’t there? We have to visit one in every town we go to.
By: Richard Tulloch on February 23, 2011
at 9:41 pm
Have you been to the one in Venice? It is great. I was freshly pressed a little while ago for the Bologna tower climb – what fun.
By: bagnidilucca on February 23, 2011
at 9:48 pm
[…] of the colour of the buildings. ( It also has communist leanings, but that is another story.)Click here to see the fabulous fish market in Bologna.Powered By WizardRSSNo Comments » Leave a Reply […]
By: 498 steps to the top | Ink n' it a Writers Community on February 24, 2011
at 3:02 am
How does this work? There is no reference to my site on your page.
By: bagnidilucca on February 25, 2011
at 8:08 am
Those fish photos are so good Debra….and that nappy wearing one, what an odd looking fella.
I really hope these kind of markets don’t disappear as well. Shopping at the supermarket with your styrofoam and plastic wrapped food is not quite the same.
By: cityhippyfarmgirl on February 24, 2011
at 11:44 pm
Isn’t that huge fish incredible? I can’t believe it was whisked off so quickly.
By: bagnidilucca on February 25, 2011
at 5:20 am
Oh, a fish lovers paradise! Beautiful!
By: turid on February 25, 2011
at 7:27 am
Amazing, isn’t it? I love Bologna.
By: bagnidilucca on February 25, 2011
at 8:09 am
OMG, you right… it’s really ugly, the ugliest I’ve ever seen… I think we don’t have such a fish like that… I am wondering how the taste… LOL
anyway, It’s common fish here in image 3371… we call: Ikan mas, mean: Golden Fish… because of the golden scales..
By: Prima on March 6, 2011
at 3:48 pm
I’m sure its mother loved it, despite its looks.
By: bagnidilucca on March 6, 2011
at 7:21 pm
[…] the climb. the view from the top of the tower in Bologna Click here to see the full story and here to see a very ugly fish in Bologna. The Carnevale in Viareggio was amazing – again. The […]
By: Looking back over 2011 « Bagni di Lucca and Beyond on December 30, 2011
at 5:22 am