Which Italian city not only has rich history that draws many people to it for Italy vacations, but has been declared a European capital of culture as well as a city of music by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)?
Rome, Venice or Florence would be good guesses, but the correct answer is beautiful Bologna.
Truly a gem of Italy’s northern region, Bologna is a bustling metropolitan city with significant examples of art and architecture, wonderfully preserved historic buildings and sites, exceptional restaurants and a vibrant nightlife.
To really experience Bologna you need to explore the city centre on foot, much of which thankfully survived the European conflict that raged during the Second World War and the post-war developers who would have happily demolished the old to make way for new construction.
Here on a private Bologna Italy walking tour you can trace the impact of the Romans, the Middle Ages and the Renaissance upon this important urban city in the north of Italy.
A city of this size and complexity becomes celebrated for different reasons, and Bologna has earned a reputation for excellence in different ways. Perhaps one of the best ways to reflect on the essence of Bologna is to consider the city by its nicknames.
La Dotta (“The learned one”)
Like all university cities, Bologna benefits from having so many great minds gather in one place in the pursuit of higher learning. The vigorous search for new truths and the zest for life that accompanies large groups of young scholars and passionate academics has invigorated the cultural life of this city for generations. The University of Bologna was founded in 1088, making it the oldest in Western Europe. From its inception the university drew students from around the world.
Who wouldn’t be inspired to learn more in these beautiful surroundings? In addition to towers, facades dating from medieval to Gothic and charming shops, Bologna is famous for its porticos. These grand covered walkways with breathtaking columns are impressive to behold.
Walking with an expert guide, visitors get a chance to stroll through the piazzas and admire the exquisite craftsmanship evident in palaces and churches that date from different periods. The engaging stories behind the buildings like the Due Torri (two towers) and monuments like Neptune’s Fountain add dimension to the surface beauty of the bricks and mortar.
La Grassa (“The fat one”)
Italy is a nation known for good food, but Bologna has earned a solid international reputation for fine cuisine. This is the city preferred as a destination for culinary enthusiasts.
This is, as you might surmise, the city where the famous Ragu’alla Bolognese was created. Condé Nast and other travel guides consistently rank Bologna as one of the best places to eat in Italy – not only for scrumptious traditional dishes like tortellini and lasagne but also because the prices are so reasonable.
One of the favourite stops in Bologna’s old city centre is the charming market district with its gourmet food shops, wineries, restaurants and fine bakeries.
La Rossa (“The red one”)
One distinctive feature among buildings in the city centre here would be red rooftops. All throughout the old part of Bologna, you will see roofs in varied hues of red. From crimson to rust to rich cardinal red, the buildings are capped in the vibrant warmth of rich reds.
Why the penchant for rossa? That might be a question best asked of your guide. Was the material in that colour scheme most readily available? Did the red palette appeal to the sensibilities of the inhabitants for some reason? Does it symbolize a history rich in intrigue, bloodlust, passion and courage?
Hashing out theories here in the city of scholars is entertaining, but don’t forget your camera. Capturing an image of the rooftops of La Rossa in all her glory is a lasting memory of beautiful Bologna.
Intrigued by the many sides of Bologna? Contact us at Avventure Bellissime to book our unforgettable Italy walking tour of Bologna.