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About Bologna
Bologna (from Latin Bononia) is the capital city of Emilia-Romagna, in northern Italy, between the Po River and the Apennines, exactly, between Reno River and Sàvena River.
Originally the Etruscan town of Felsina, it became a Roman military colony in 190 BC. It was subject to the Byzantine exarchate of Ravenna from the 6th century AD. It became a free commune in the 12th century. Incorporated into the Papal States in 1506, it was the scene of the crowning of Charles V in 1530. After a brief period of French occupation, it was restored to the Papal States in 1815, and in 1860 it was united to the Kingdom of Italy. The University of Bologna, founded in the 11th century, is among Europe's oldest. Until the late 19th century, when a large-scale urban reconstruction project was undertaken, Bologna remained one of the best-preserved Medieval cities in Europe, though to this day it remains unique in its historic value.
Despite having suffered considerable bombing damage in 1944, Bologna's historic centre, Europe's 2nd largest (after Venice), contains a wealth of Medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque artistic monuments of primary importance.
Bologna developed as an Etruscan, then Roman colony along the Via Emilia, the street that still runs straight through the city under the changing names of Strada Maggiore, Rizzoli, Ugo Bassi, and San Felice. Due to its Roman heritage, the most central streets of Bologna follow the grid pattern of the Roman settlement.
The city is a road and rail centre for traffic between northern and southern Italy. It is the site of excellent medieval and Renaissance architecture and is famous for its cuisine.
Bologna is the first railway and motorway hub in Italy; it is also well known for its Fiera District (exhibitions center), with important international exhibitions. Bologna and its metropolitan area has important industries (mechanics, foods, electronics), has very important retail and wholesale trade. Bologna also has important monuments, museums, and rich cultural life.
The importance of Bologna in Italy and in Europe, considered from the points of view of culture, industry, trade, social, political, economy, etc., is much greater than suggested by its demographic data: about 400,000 inhabitants in the city, about 1 million in the metropolitan area.
After Venice, Bologna is certainly one of the best-looking cities in the country. The centre is startlingly medieval in plan, a jumble of red brick, tiled roofs and balconies radiating out from the great central square of Piazza Maggiore.
Places to see
Piazza Maggiore is one of Bologna's central squares, lined with arcades. Around the square are the Gothic Basilica of San Petronio, one of the biggest in the World, the Palazzo dei Notai and the Archeological Museum.
Piazza del Nettuno, next to Piazza Maggiore, another of Bologna's main squares, has an ornate 16th-century fountain in the center and is surrounded by medieval civic buildings.
You can climb the steep staircase to the top of Torre degli Asinelli (which stands at over 100 m / 330 ft, containing 498 steps and leaning around 1.3 m / 4 ft), one of only a few surviving medieval towers, for a great view of Bologna. Torre degli Asinelli and another leaning tower, Torre Garisenda, are in Piazza Porta Ravegnana where seven medieval streets converge.
In Piazza Santo Stefano you will find an unusual cluster of four interlocking Romanesque churches. The oldest, the church of SS. Vitale e Agricola, has parts of Roman temples and columns. There is also an interesting courtyard with a maze of little chapels.
The Pinacoteca Nazionale is one of Italy's best galleries with several important works of art.
The University, one of Europe's oldest, is worth a visit. Palazzo Poggi has two interesting museums. Sometimes you will see student demonstrations or lively graduation celebrations.
Santo Stefano basilica and sanctuary.
San Domenico basilica and sanctuary.
The cityscape is further enriched by elegant and extensive arcades (or porticos), for which the city is famous. In total, there are some 38 kilometres of arcades in the city's historical center, which make it possible to walk for long distances sheltered from rain, snow, or hot summer sun. The Portico of San Luca, the longest in the World (3.5 km / 2.17 mi, 666 arcades) connects Porta Saragozza (one of the twelve Gates of the ancient Walls built in the Middle-Age which rounded the city on 7.5 km / 4.66 m, with San Luca Sanctuary, on Colle della Guardia, over the city (289 m / 953 ft).
The Sanctuary of the Madonna di San Luca is a very notable site, located just outside the main city on the Colle della Guardia (Guard Hill). Built in the 11th century and much enlarged in 14th and 18th centuries. The interior contains works of different masters but probably the most important is the painting of the Madonna with Child attributed to Luke the Evangelist. The best way to visit this Sanctuary is by foot as you can walk under the portico mentioned above.
