Bologna tourist information
A good reason to see Bologna? It is a city full of prestige and culture. In fact, in the year 2000 it was awarded the title of “European Capital of Culture”. It is a richly deserved honour: first of all, its University, called Alma Mater Studiorum, is the oldest in the world – it was founded in 1088.
Secondly, it is an extremely lively, stimulating city: dozens of events, art exhibitions, concerts, meetings are organised here every day.
The best place to start a visit to Bologna is Piazza Maggiore, one of the nicest Italian squares, framed by magnificent medieval palaces. It is dominated by the imposing Basilica di San Petronio, looking askance at Giambologna’s Fontana del Nettuno – its bronze nude must have looked indeed scandalous at the time. Don’t forget to visit the interesting Museo Morandi, housed in Palazzo d’Accursio, on one side of Piazza Maggiore. Seize the opportunity to see its frescoed rooms and art collections, containing most of the production of Bolognese painter Giorgio Morandi (1890-1964), characterized by recurrent themes such as bottles, still lifes, vases and glasses. On the opposite side of the square you will find Palazzo dell’Archiginnasio, built in 1562 and originally used as lecture halls (the University moved to its current address, 33 Via Zamboni, no earlier than 1803). Its front porticoes are 139 metres long, while the porches of its inner court are decorated with the best students’ coats of arms. The palace houses a huge library containing as much as 750,000 volumes and a thrilling anatomical theatre (Sala Anatomica) – here teachers and students used to dissect dead bodies (open Monday to Saturday, 9.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m., closed on Sundays).
The most remarkable local craft is the production of copper, gold and silver artefacts – a tradition dating back to the Middle Ages. One of the medieval alleys leading to Piazza Maggiore was actually named Via degli Orefici, which means Goldsmith Street, after the ancient corporation of goldsmiths. It is still crowded with jeweller’s shops. Several luthier’s workshops can be found in the town centre, while the distinctive handicrafts of the land around Bologna are Budrio ocarinas (globe-shaped flutes), Colle Ameno pottery and art prints. The right place to buy smart clothes and luxury goods, or just to have a look at the windows of the best shops in town is Galleria Cavour, near Piazza Maggiore. Shopaholics, however, will find it difficult to resist the call of the town centre as a whole – especially Via Ugo Bassi, Via Rizzoli, Via Indipendenza and Via Santo Stefano (leading to picturesque Piazza Santo Stefano). Fridays and Saturdays are market days in Piazza VIII Agosto: this popular market, called the Piazzola, is a good opportunity to buy cheap clothes, whereas the vintage section of the market held in Parco della Montagnola is famous throughout Italy. A final stop is de rigueur: the picturesque market held every day in the medieval alleys near Piazza Maggiore, where top-quality salami, cheeses, tortellini, early fruit and fruit in season, meat, fish and wine are sold. Another market selling food products and wine is held in Piazza delle Erbe, near Via Ugo Bassi and Via Marconi.
A popular saying summarizes the relationship between this city and food by calling Bologna “a fat town” (”la grassa”). The term “fat”, however, does not mean that Bologna has a heavy, rich cuisine, but that the Bolognese love to live it up and enjoy the pleasures of life. Therefore, Bologna, the Italian town with the highest cinema, theatre and concert spending, is also a town of gourmands – and gourmets, of course! The most popular local products are Igp Mortadella Bologna (Igp is the Italian acronym for “Protected geographical indication”, which guarantees the genuineness of a product), and tortellini. Tagliatelle with rag´u (Bolognese sauce) are a must, too: the Bolognese still have it for lunch every Sunday.
Around the year 1000, there were over 200 towers in town. They were built by aristocratic families to show their power and wealth. Today there are only about twenty of them left, and the most celebrated ones are in Piazza Ravegnana: they are called Garisenda and Torre degli Asinelli. The latter is the tallest one, being 98 metres tall. Legend has it that a poor man fell in love with a noble maiden; after getting rich, he asked for his lady’s hand, but the condition for marrying her was that he should build the tallest tower in town – and that became Torre degli Asinelli. For a breathtaking view over Bologna, climb the stairs to the top of the tower: it will take 498 steps and some effort, but it is well worth it. A short walk will take you from the two towers to the neoclassical building of the municipal theatre (Teatro Comunale), which houses a prestigious opera season. As usual, you will find yourself under porticoes. In fact, porticoes are the distinctive feature of Bologna: they are the longest in the world, measuring over 40 km!
The typical local seconds are several kinds of boiled meat, or bollito, served with spicy mustard. A very popular appetizer, which you will find in every typical restaurant (trattoria), is crescentina, a variation of Romagna-style piadina, a kind of unleavened bread containing oil or lard and eaten with salami, pickles or squacquerone, a local very soft, mild cheese. If you prefer sweets, pinza is a traditional cake from the countryside around Bologna. Wines are very good, too: the hills around Bologna and the neighbouring town of Imola (”Colli Bolognesi” and “Colli di Imola”) are Doc wine-producing areas (Doc is the Italian acronym for “Registered denomination of origin”, and it can be found on the labels of the best Italian quality wines). The best wines of such areas are Pignoletto and Trebbiano white.
Bologna weather forecast
