United States of America - Boston

Our charming Italian hostess told us that if the United States were Italy, Boston would be Rome in terms of historical importance. Actually Boston is the birthplace of the American revolution, followed by the Declaration of Independence in 1776. Faneuil Hall was the official meeting place of Boston but the most popular assemblies were taking place at Old South Meeting House where thousands of Bostonians gathered to debate every political crisis.

Faneuil Hall

Old South Meeting House

Old State House now surrounded by huge buildings

Some of the fathers of the revolution are burried in Granary Burying Ground next to other patriots or victims of the Boston Massacre. This cemetery was originally part of the Boston Common, the central public park at the heart of the city.

Granary Burying Ground

Group tour at Granary Burying Ground

One of the many squirrels in Boston Common

A gracious British atmosphere drifts around Boston which is maybe the most european city of the United States. Massive red bricks buildings and Victorian churches are everywhere. On Copley Square, the Boston Public Library is hosted in an imposing Renaissance style building, an agreable area to wander around.

Boston Public Library

Studious mood Boston Public Library

Copley square 

One can also taste Italian Renaissance in Boston visiting the incredible collection of Isabella Stewart Gardner. This collector and philanthropist inherited a fortune from her father and built a large collection of more than 2,500 objects displayed in a Venetian-inspired museum. By the way, this museum will soon open its new wing designed by the architect Renzo Piano.

Like a lot of other American city, Boston has its Italian district called North End. This neighborhood offers great eating establishments and groceries.

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Boston is a true intellectual city. It is the first time since the beginning of our trip that we see so many people reading books in the subway, bars and parks. The only city in which we saw that before is Paris. Actually Boston is home of two major and famous universities: Harvard for Humanities and MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) for science. 

The two campus are open to the public and offer nice areas to have a look and a walk. Apart from the green spaces, MIT has a few strange looking buildings, built by students in architecture. Harvard owns half of Cambridge, a city adjacent to Boston. The historical first settlement of this university is composed of some red bricks buildings organized around a park with narrow alley.

 

 Massachusetts Institute of Technology

 Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Harvard

Harvard

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Massachusetts is also birthplace of one of the most famous American president, John F. Kennedy. His presidential library and museum is located in Boston Harbour facing the Atlantic ocean. We enjoyed visiting this place and diving in this period of American history.