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Aerial view of Bologna in the reddish evening light. In the foreground is a large, round church dome behind which are numerous houses with tiled roofs and historic buildings as well as two adjacent square towers, one of which is significantly higher than the other.
Aerial view of Bologna in the reddish evening light. In the foreground is a large, round church dome behind which are numerous houses with tiled roofs and historic buildings as well as two adjacent square towers, one of which is significantly higher than the other.

Bologna

Published: 31 October 2024, 09:30

Pleasure and culture in northern Italy

La Grassa (The Fat), La Rossa (The Red) and La Dotta (The Scholar) - these three nicknames show the many facets of Bologna. In the capital of the Emilia-Romagna region, delicious, hearty cuisine (the Fat One) meets historic brick architecture (the Red One) and the oldest university in the Western world (the Scholar). Numerous historic buildings and pretty squares are waiting to be explored: These include the two leaning twin towers Le Due Torri, the central Piazza Maggiore and, last but not least, the characteristic archways from the Middle Ages (Portici), which stretch for around 62 kilometres through the entire city. In the winding alleyways of the old town centre with its numerous small shops, bars and restaurants, you can immerse yourself in the authentic life of the locals. Above all, you should do one thing in Bologna: eat, eat and eat again!

Numbers, data, facts

  • Time difference: none
  • Population: 388,000
  • Official language: Italian
  • Currency: Euro (EUR)

Ten highlights of Bologna

A frog's-eye view of two imposing, square brick towers on a square. One of the towers is significantly higher than the other. Benches and bollards line the square, and there are other historic buildings and church spires around the towers.
The two leaning towers are Bologna's most famous landmark: the higher of the two, the Torre degli Asinelli, can be climbed via 498 steps. © bbsferrari/stock.adobe.com
A large square, the floor of which is paved with large red and grey tiles. Numerous people can be seen on it. Behind them are two large, brick-coloured buildings, both with crenellated roofs. A small, square clock tower rises from the right-hand building to the left. An alley leads between the buildings. The sky is slightly cloudy and blue.
Piazza Maggiore is the centre of the city. It is surrounded by numerous impressive buildings such as the Basilica of San Petronio or the Palazzo del Podestà. © Yasonya/stock.adobe.com
An archway with red columns with decorated capitals. There are bollards between the columns. A church with a pointed nave can be seen behind the columns.
The portici, the covered arcades, stretch for around 62 kilometres through Bologna and have characterised the cityscape since the Middle Ages. © Vladimir Sazonov/stock.adobe.com
In the red evening sky rises a narrow, red, historic building with two high, pointed arched entrances. The roof is crenellated. There is a traffic-calmed square around the building, separated from traffic by bollards. A large sculpture stands in front of the building. On both sides of the building, other historic buildings can be seen shining in the evening light.
One of the most beautiful buildings in the historic centre is the Palazzo della Mercanzia, once the seat of the Chamber of Commerce. © Kavalenkava/stock.adobe.com
A small window set into a red façade. The view opens onto a narrow canal with colourful house facades on either side. A small covered bridge over the canal is visible in the background, with more houses behind it.
The small window "Finestrella di Via Piella" offers a view of one of the city's hidden canals, a remnant from the Middle Ages. © minoandriani/stock.adobe.com
A large, massive cathedral standing on a red and grey tiled square. The lower part of the façade is decorated in pink and white, with three doors forming the entrance to the cathedral. The upper half of the façade is made of rough brick. The nave is rectangular, the gable is triangular and tapers upwards. There are historical buildings on both sides of the cathedral, the one on the right is illuminated by the sun.
The Basilica of San Petronio is not only the most important cathedral in Bologna, but it is also one of the largest churches in the world. © bbsferrari/stock.adobe.com
A narrow alley in an old town centre in the evening light. On both sides are multi-storey houses with shop windows illuminated at ground level. On the right-hand side of the alley are the tables of a restaurant, with wine bottles on shelves in the window behind them. A vegetable stall and other shops with awnings can be seen at the back of the alley.
The old town centre with its winding alleyways offers not only important historical buildings but also pretty bars and restaurants and a unique atmosphere. © Ekaterina Belova/stock.adobe.com
A market stall full of culinary treasures: Numerous hams of different varieties and sizes hang from the ceiling, while cheese wheels and pieces of cheese are piled high in the display.
La Grassa: Bologna is a paradise for gourmets - in addition to the numerous bars and restaurants, the central Mercato di Mezzo offers all kinds of regional delicacies. © Fotokon/stock.adobe.com
An old town centre in which red-tiled roofs and reddish facades dominate the scene. Several square towers rise between the houses. The roofs glow in the sun.
La Rossa - the red one: the nickname stands not only for the characteristic brick architecture but also for Bologna's traditionally left-wing political views. © Kavalenkava/stock.adobe.com
View upwards from an arcade onto a surrounding building with high arched windows, on which a pink-coloured clock tower stands in the centre. The arcade from which the picture is taken is decorated with a ceiling painting and a historic lantern. The columns on either side are angular and made of brick. The sky is blue.
La Dotta: The Università di Bologna was founded in 1088, making it the oldest university in the Western world. © giumas/stock.adobe.com

Bologna from BER

Airplane shortly before touching down on the runway.

Ryanair

Bologna Airport (BLQ)

Five tips for …

  1. Tagliatelle al Ragù: The popular meat sauce (Bolognese) is not eaten with spaghetti in its place of origin, but traditionally with tagliatelle.
  2. Mortadella: This spicy sausage has its origins in Bologna.
  3. Friggione: This delicious side dish made from slowly braised onions and tomatoes goes perfectly with meat dishes.
  4. Tortellini: These small pasta pockets with various fillings are often served with broth in Bologna.
  5. Zuppa Inglese: The tempting layer cake made from sponge cake with cream and the characteristic red Alchermes liqueur is not to be missed.

  1. Museo Civico Archeologico: important ancient artefacts and a large Egyptian collection
  2. The Pinacoteca Nazionale di Bologna: art-historical works by Giotto, Raphael and Titian
  3. Museo d'Arte Moderna di Bologna: modern and contemporary art
  4. Museo Internazionale e Biblioteca della Musica: Exhibition of historical instruments and scores
  5. Museo della Specola: a collection of historical astronomical measuring instruments and telescopes

  1. Explore the Jewish Quarter with its charming historic streets and squares
  2. Discover pop art and comics at Libreria Mondo Pop
  3. Visit the sculpture dedicated to the artist "Freak Antoni" with a toilet bowl and rocket rucksack
  4. Find peace from the hustle and bustle of the city in the large Giardini Margherita city park
  5. Admire Michelangelo's art in the lesser-known church of San Domenico

Picture Source title:
© ecstk22/stock.adobe.com

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