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Bologna

Bologna, the capital of the Emilia-Romagna region, is a city steeped in history and culture. Surrounded by green hills, the town conceals countless artistic and architectural treasures in the shade of its towers and porticoes.

The city

There is a saying that the Bolognese do not realize how beautiful their city is. Actually, they are well aware of it! Bologna is the result of a magical and alchemic mixture of art and culture. It has 12 city museums, 1 national museum, 4 church museums, 4 private-owned museums, 16 University museums and an invaluable Jewish museum. But it is also a lively and cheerful place, brought alive by the thousands of university students who have been flocking to the Alma Mater Studiorum – the oldest University in the world – every year since 1088 AD, the year of its establishment !!! In two words: Art and culture. >>> discover more

Bologna, the capital of the Emilia-Romagna region, is a city steeped in history and culture. Surrounded by green hills, the town conceals countless artistic and architectural treasures in the shade of its towers and porticoes. It is one of the most amazing urban centres in existence and rarely are citizens as proud of their hometown as the Bolognese. The old town centre is extensive, well-preserved and rich in memories of the many civilisations that have lived here over the ages. The urban structure was defined by the Romans. The medieval street system, that extends from the city centre like the spokes of a wheel, was laid down by the Longobards. Numerous convents bear witness to the bygone power of the Popes and the impressive Jewish ghetto, still intact today, is also movingly reminiscent. Another fine feature of the town are its picturesque red brick towers. In the past there were over 200 of these, each demonstrating the power of the important families who built them.

Two of the finest examples, the Asinelli Tower and the unfinished Garisenda Tower, have now become a symbol of the town. But what really distinguishes Bologna’s urban character are its porticoes. No other city in the world can boast a monumental procession of arcades that stretches, almost without interruption, for over thirty five kilometres. Admired by visitors for centuries, this unique example of architectural harmony has recently been submitted for nomination as a World Heritage Site. An important centre in medieval times, Bologna is not only famous for being the birthplace of the oldest university in the western hemisphere, it was once also one of Europe’s major harbours. In bygone times, large, industrial cities depended on water and Bologna’s advanced technical system of waterwaysand canals facilitated mercantile navigation and enhanced its business activities. Today, most of Bologna’s canals flow underground, but many have been recently restored and opened to visitors. Bologna is also an important gastronomic centre. Its inhabitants regard preparing and savouring food, not as a mere necessity, but as a refined art where new and classic flavours are blended with skill and passion.

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History and Art

Place of archaeological finds whose provenience (Villanova di Castenaso, in the city outskirts) gave name to a prehistoric civilization, the ‘civiltà villanoviana' (9 centuries before Christ), Bologna already existed at the time of the Etruschi (VI century before Christ), under the name of Felsina , occupied by Gauls. In the II century, when the Romans conquered it, the Via Emilia was built, together with the foundation of new colonies along the way: among them there was Bononia , which was meant to become the main centre of the province. After the Roman Empire breakdown, which reduced its civilization and dimensions, Bologna was occupied by the Longobardi and restored to its former splendour, which was witnessed by the foundation of the first university (1088), an institution that brings together students and intellectuals from all Europe . The extraordinary development of the city during the last part of the medieval period and the need to widen the living places is at the base of the famous porticoes , an architectural solution which permitted to give more space to the highest floors, while keeping the pedestrian area on ground level. The porticoes still characterize all the city. Bologna held an important position during the età comunale (at the end of 1200 it has 50.000 inhabitants, one of the first cities in Europe), and then in the Stato Pontificio , during the 1500, as the second city after Rome , always keeping a good level of independence. In 1600 and 1700 Bologna saw an extremely big expansion outside the city walls, and in this period the portico of San Luca, which leads from Porta Saragozza to the sanctuary on top of the hill through a 3500 metres covered path, was built. The main communications were opened during the napoleonic and fascist period.

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The ‘Pianura emiliana'

Leaving Bologna from the north-west ‘Porta', along Via Emilia, the cities you can come across are Ferrara, Modena, Reggio, Parma e Piacenza, the cities of the ancient Ducati, rich of history, art and culture. They are situated in a privileged position, in a fertile land and widely cultivated. The landscape that surrounds them is characterized by squared fields, which keep traces of the divisions operated by the Romans, by several small towns and colonial villas. Not far you can find the Appenini and their small valleys: calanchi. On these mountains, woods and cultivated fields alternate.

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Romagna

On the other side, leaving Bologna from the east Porta, the main cities you see are, Ravenna, Forlì e Rimini, the three provinces of Romagna. Culture, traditions and economy of this area divide are connected both to land and sea. The land is cultivated with love: the countryside is characterized by fields and nice little towns (borghi). This is the kingdom of fog, which during winter softens all the noises and makes the landscape almost fantastic. The beaches situated on the Adriatic Sea are visited by a huge number of students every summer. On the north, where the water meets the land, an original landscape can be found: the Po delta and the Comacchio valleys.

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Where we are

We are ideally located, on the main bus rutes. Medieval historic centre is just 500 metres by foot.

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How to get here

If you fly to Bologna Marconi Airport, an easy way to get to the city centre (far less than 8 km, is by bus)

New from October 2008 - low cost flights:

Ryanair flights from / to Bologna will start on October 27th with seven new destinations: London Stansted, Dublin, Birmingham, Frankfurt Hahn, Brussels Charleroi, Barcelona Girona and Valencia. See the schedules

New additional routes from March and April: Katowice (Poland), Oslo-Torp (Norway), Dusseldorf (Germany), Brusselles (Belgium), Paris (France), Edinburgh (Scotland) Granada (Spain)

Scheduled national and international direct Flights: