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Bologna

About Bologna

Basic Information:

 

Bologna is a regional center of Emilia Romagna and it is in the hearth of 1 000 000 inhabitant Metropolitan.

Bologna is an antic University center and it has always been an important urban center, the first under the Etruscans (Velzna / Felsina) and the Celts (Bona), then under the Romans (Bononia), then again in the Middle Ages a free town (for a century was the fifth largest city in the European population).

Bologna is a home to prestigious cultural institutions and economic politic and one of the most advanced exhibition centers of Europe. In 2000 it was the "European Capital of Culture" and since 2006 "music city" UNESCO. The city of Bologna has been selected to participate in the Universal Exhibition in Shanghai 2010 along with 45 other cities around the world.

 

Curiosity

Repopulated in the tenth century Bologna began to nourish communal aspirations which came to an end to the death of Matilda of Canossa, in 1115 obtaining the following year a series of legal and economic concessions from the emperor Enrico V. The town took part in the fight against Barbarossa ended with the Peace of Constance in 1183, after which experienced a strong expansion, including construction (period of the Tower Houses) was a major center for trade through channels that allowed the transit of large quantities of goods. Just consider that at the end of the thirteenth century, with its 50,000, maybe 60,000 people was the fifth biggest city in Europe by population (after Cordoba, Paris, Venice and Florence) on a par with Milan and was the largest textile industrial center of Italy.

In our days there are very few tower saved.

 

What to see in Bologna?

Religious Sites

There is a long List of Basilicas, Churches and Sanctuaries in Bologna and one Synagogue that can be seen. Here will find only the names of the most important of them.

  • The Metropolitan Cathedral of Bologna St. Peter
  • Basilica of St. Petronio
  • Basilica of St. Giacomo Maggiore
  • Basilica of Santa Maria dei Servi
  • Basilica St. Paul the Great
  • St. Domenic Basilica and Sanctuary
  • St. Stefan Basilica and Sanctuary
  • Santa Maria della Vita Church
  • St. Francesco Church
  • Sanctuary of the Madonna di San Luca
  • Sinagoga di Bologna
  • St. Michele in Bosco Church

 

The Towers of Bologna

  • The Two Towers: Garisenda & Asinelli
  • Accursi or O'Clock Tower
  • Arengo Tower
  • Prendiparte or Crowned Tower
  • Galuzzi Tower
  • Azzoguidi Tower
  • Agresti Tower
  • Alberici Tower
  • Carrari Tower
  • Guidozagni Tower
  • Lambertini Tower
  • Lapi Tower
  • Uguzzoni Tower

 

The arcades of Bologna (I portici di Bologna)

Candidates for "World Heritage Sites" of UNESCO the Arcades of Bologna at about 40 km long and it is making the city of Bologna unique in the world.

  • The most large Arcade is quadrangle of the Basilica S. Maria dei Servi in Maggiore Street.
  • The city's tallest Arcade of 10 m high is in the archbishop's palace in Altabella Street.
  • The most closest Arcade of the city with just 95cm is in The Nameless Street, the stretch of road Zaragoza within the walls.
  • Going on after the small streets begins the long process of Arcades outside the city walls of Via Zaragoza, the principle of the arcade of the city's most famous and longest in the world, leading to the Sanctuary of the Madonna di San Luca. From the first doorway Zaragoza (Bonacorsi) of the Monte Guardia the arcade is made ​​up of 664 arches and measures 3 796 kilometers
  • There are also notable to 8 Arcades made by wood.

 

Palaces and Villas

There are also many interesting arhitecture Palaces and Villas to see in Bologna.

Palaces:

  • Accursio Palaces is the Palace of Municipality of Bologna
  • Re Enzo Palace
  • Rodestà Palace
  • Notai Palace
  • Banchi Palace
  • Archiginnasio Palace
  • Mercanzia Palace
  • Ghisilardi Palace
  • Fava Palace (The Palace for Exhibitions)
  • Philharmonic Academy of Bologna
  • Hercolani Palace
  • Palazzo Pepoli (Museum of the History of Bologna)
  • Poggi Palace (new headquarters of the National University)
  • Coleggio of Spain Palace

 

Villas:

  • Coleggio of Spain Palace
  • Villa Aldini
  • Villa Aldrovandi Mazzacorati
  • Villa of the Roses
  • Villa Spada (Historical Didactic Museum of Tapestry "Vittorio Zironi")
  • Villa Impero
  • Villa Sampieri Talon

 

Famous Squires

Do not miss also take a walk in the squires and under the arcades all around the squires of Bologna. The most famous of them are:

  • Piazza Maggiore
  • Piazza Nettuno
  • Piazza St. Stefano
  • Piazza of The Door Ravegnana
  • Piazza Galvani
  • Piazza Martiri

 

Ancient Doors (Porta) of Bologna

 

  • Porta Castiglione
  • Porta Galliera
  • Porta Lame
  • Porta Maggiore
  • Porta mascarella
  • Porta St. Donato
  • Porta St. Felice
  • Porta St. Vitale
  • Porta St. stefano
  • Porta Saragozza
  • Porta Govese

 

TravelMapItaly Advices

The local people suggest to make a day tour of the sights in the main center of Bologna. Don't forget when you are tired to stop and reinforce yourself in the local restaurant and to try the typical kitchen for Bologna.

  • Fountain of Neptune
  • Salaborsa
  • Piazza Maggiore
  • Basilica of St. Petronio
  • Accursio Palace
  • Podestà Palace
  • Archaeological Museum
  • Archiginnasio Palace
  • St. Domenico Church
  • Mercato di Mezzo
  • Piazza St. stefan
  • Complex of the "Seven Churches" or "Holy Jerusalem"
  • The Two Towers Garienda and Asinelli
  • Zamboni Street
  • Indipendenza Street
  • Under the Arcade of Piella Street
  • Medieval Museum
  • Piazza Maggiore

 

How to go to Bologna?

Bologna is an important road and rail communications hub of Northern Italy, it is on the main way to Rome.

    • By Air

The Airport of Bologna is very close to the city, just outside the Highway Ring. You can get the special Aerobus or taxi from the Airport to the city center. The tickets for the Aerobus can be used within 60 minutes also for other bus lines. Visit the site local public transport ATC.

For more information about the flights visit the International Airport Bologna web site.

 

    • By Train

Bologna is one of the most important and trafficked Railway Station in Italy.

It is one the Road from North Europe and North Italy to the South

Also from the West Europe and West part of Italy to the South and Adriatic Sea.

For more information visit the Italian Railway web site.

 

    • By Car

From the antic times Bologna has always been an important crossroad in Italy.

You can go to Bologna from North Europe and North Italy via Highway A13.

From West Europe, from Torino A4 and then from Milano you can go to Bologna via A1 and continue via A1 to Rome and Napoli.

If you wish to go to Ravenna and Napoli you should get A14 from Bologna.

 

    • Go Around

As almost all the cities in Italy the old historical centers don't give a big possibility to park your car. But Bologna has very well organized transport so it is recommended to leave your car outside the main city center and to use public transport to go to the main center. It is very easy to visit the city by walking and you will really enjoy it.

For visiting some places outside the center of Bologna as the complex and church San Michele in Bosco, Regina Margherita Gardens you will need your car or to use the public transports. Take a look at the link of ATC here.

 

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Map of Bologna

 

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