Bologna Historic City Center
“The turreted”, “the learned one”, “the city of arcades”. Several names but just one spirit. Simply, Bologna
The capital of the
Emilia Romagna region has several affectionate nicknames, which indicate the popularity and affection found in the heart of the people.
It is one of the
most visited cities in Italy, both for its present – made up of fervent initiatives and demonstrations – and for its past full of art and history.
A walk in the center
A walk in the historic city center is also amazing. Marvelous palaces such as the 13th century Palazzo del Podestà and the Palazzo del Comune surround the Piazza Maggiore, a fulcrum of the Bolognese social life, from which you can reach the Piazza Re Enzo, where the famous Neptune Fountain (or the Giant) can be found.
The Two Towers
Going along via Rizzoli you arrive at the Two Towers which stand out over the city: the Torre degli Asinelli and the Torre della Garisenda, by now have become the symbol of Bologna. From here you can go down via Zamboni, the famous university road.
City of arcades and the learned one
The historic city center of Bologna is directly connected to the Sanctuary of the Madonna di San Lucca, which is situated atop the Colle della Guardia, through a lengthy roofed arcade. It is for this feature (approximately 40 km of arcades have been measured) that Bologna is also known as the “city of arcades”.
Bologna also boasts the flattering title of
the learned one in that it gave birth to the first Western
European University, the
Alma Mater Studium (University of Bologna) in 1088, from which the most important past cultural trends were born and renowned for having hosted celebrated scholars such as Pascoli, Carducci or Pier Paolo Pasolini.
Not to mention
Bologna is also home to numerous
museums and art galleries
to visit. Just remember the
Fondazione Museo Ebraico or the
National Art Gallery, the
Gallery of Modern Art or the
Academy of Fine Arts and many more.
