Visiting Bologna

Bologna is a beautiful historical city. Although it is well known by Italians, it is less so among foreign visitors. It it more a cultural and academic center, than a touristic one. Maybe that is why the city is so fascinating to me. One could truly feel the spirit of Northern Italy in Bologna.

It is famed for the oldest university in the Western world, lively student population, exquisite food, typical brick terracotta-roofed architecture and porticos (the arcades), theater and nightlife.

Visitors can walk under the typical arcades of Bologna for a total of 38 km. The Portici were originally built by order of the town authorities to house temporary visitors. They had to be wide enough that a man could lie down under them to sleep.

Bologna is home to prestigious cultural, economic and political institutions as well as one of the most impressive trade fair districts in Europe. In 2000 it was declared European capital of culture and in 2006, a UNESCO “city of music”.

Outside the Public Library of Bologna 

Bologna has one of the largest and best preserved historic centers among Italian cities. Its architecture is noted for its palette of terracotta reds, burnt oranges, and warm yellows, hence the name of Bologna la rossa (Bologna the red).

Fontana di Nettuno (Fountain of Neptune) - one of Bologna’s symbols

Piazza Maggiore

One of the twelve gates of the ancient walls built in the Middle Ages, which circled a 7.5 km part of the city

Old Market in the historic center

Bologna is renowned for its culinary tradition. It has given its name to the well-known Bolognese sauce, a meat based pasta sauce called in Italy ragù alla bolognese but in the city itself just ragù. The rich local cuisine depends heavily on meats and cheeses. The production of cured pork meats such as prosciutto, mortadella and salami is an important part of the local food industry. 

  

If you want a great view of the city and the surroundings, you must take a walk along the Portico of San Luca - one of the longest arcades in the world. It connects Porta Saragozza (one of the gates of the ancient walls) with the basilica church The Sanctuary of the Madonna di San Luca.

The winding 666 vault arcade, almost four kilometers (3,796 m) long, effectively links San Luca to the city center.

 Santuario della Beata Vergine di San Luca * Sanctuary of the Blessed Virgin
of San Luca