Bologna

1 week ago

4 minutes

Bologna! You’ve picked a city that is universally adored by Italians and visitors in the know. It’s not just a city; it’s an experience centered around some of life’s greatest pleasures. Bologna has three famous nicknames that perfectly capture its essence:

“La Dotta” (The Learned): For its ancient university, the oldest in the Western world.
“La Grassa” (The Fat): For its incredibly rich and delicious cuisine.
“La Rossa” (The Red): For the red-tiled roofs of its buildings and its historical left-wing politics.

Here is a comprehensive overview of Bologna.

1. The Identity of Bologna: The Heart of Italian Culinary and Intellectual Life

Bologna feels like a real, lived-in city, not just a tourist destination. It’s elegant, bustling, and deeply satisfying.

A University City: The University of Bologna, founded in 1088, infuses the city with a youthful, energetic, and intellectual vibe. This means a vibrant atmosphere, plenty of cafes and bars, and a generally progressive and open-minded culture.
The Culinary Capital: This is the undisputed food capital of Italy. Many of the country’s most famous dishes originate from here. It’s a city that takes eating very, very seriously.
Architectural Grandeur: Bologna is famous for its extensive porticoes (over 40 km of them within the city!), which provide sheltered walkways everywhere. It also has a well-preserved medieval center with leaning towers and grand squares.

2. Major Attractions: Porticoes, Towers, and Squares

Bologna’s beauty is in its elegant urban fabric and lively public spaces.

The Iconic Sights:

Piazza Maggiore: The city’s main square, a vast and beautiful space surrounded by majestic medieval and Renaissance buildings. It’s the living room of Bologna, always full of people.
Basilica di San Petronio: The towering basilica on Piazza Maggiore, one of the largest churches in the world. Its facade is famously unfinished.
The Porticoes (I Portici): A UNESCO World Heritage Site. These are not just sidewalks; they are architectural marvels. The most famous is the Portico di San Luca, a 3.8 km-long covered walkway with 666 arches that climbs a hill to the Sanctuary of the Madonna di San Luca—the view from the top is spectacular.
The Two Towers (Le Due Torri): The symbol of Bologna. These medieval leaning towers, Asinelli and Garisenda, dominate the skyline. You can (strenuously) climb the nearly 500 steps of the Asinelli Tower for a breathtaking 360-degree view of the city’s sea of red roofs.

The Cultural & Foodie Hubs:

Archiginnasio Palace: The original seat of the University of Bologna. Its Anatomical Theatre, where anatomy lessons were once held, is a masterpiece of wooden carving.
Quadrilatero: The ancient medieval market district, a maze of narrow streets just off Piazza Maggiore. This is the epicenter of foodie Bologna, with stalls and shops selling fresh pasta, cheese, cured meats, and produce. It’s an essential sensory experience.

3. The Bolognese Lifestyle & Cuisine: “La Grassa”

This is what Bologna is truly famous for. The food is rich, egg-based, and meat-centric.

Must-Try Dishes:
- Tortellini in Brodo: Small, meat-filled pasta parcels served in a rich capon broth. The ultimate comfort food.
- Tagliatelle al Ragù: This is the original “Spaghetti Bolognese.” Authentic ragù is a slow-cooked meat sauce served with fresh, flat tagliatelle pasta, which is better suited to cling to the sauce than spaghetti.
- Mortadella: The king of cured meats here. This is not just “baloney”; it’s a finely ground, delicately spiced pork sausage with cubes of fat. Eat it thinly sliced.
- Lasagna Verdi al Forno: Green lasagna (the color comes from spinach in the pasta) layered with ragù and béchamel sauce.
- Parmigiano Reggiano: While from the nearby region of Emilia, Bologna is a perfect place to taste this world-famous cheese at its source.
Aperitivo Culture: Like in Milan and Turin, the aperitivo ritual is strong here. The university crowd ensures there are countless great spots for a pre-dinner drink and snacks.

4. Practical Tips for Visiting

Best Time to Go: Spring (April-June) and Autumn (September-October) are perfect. The city is lively year-round thanks to the university. Avoid the peak summer heat in July and August.
Getting Around: Bologna is incredibly walkable. The compact historic center is a joy to explore on foot, and the porticoes provide shelter from sun and rain. The city has a good bus system if you need to travel farther.
Day Trips: Bologna is the capital of the Emilia-Romagna region, a foodie paradise. It’s a perfect hub for day trips to:
- Modena: For balsamic vinegar and the Enzo Ferrari Museum.
- Parma: For Parmigiano Reggiano and Prosciutto di Parma.
- Ferrara & Ravenna: For stunning Byzantine mosaics and Renaissance history.

In a Nutshell

Bologna is a complete package. It offers stunning architecture, a vibrant student energy, a fascinating history, and, most importantly, the best food you will likely ever eat in Italy. It’s a sophisticated, welcoming, and deeply satisfying city that often becomes travelers’ favorite Italian destination.