Spotlight on Bologna, Italy
Ranked #736 in Travel & Places, #32,200 overall
Discover "La Rossa" - Bologna, Italy
Bologna is the capital city of Emilia-Romagna, a region in northern Italy, and is also known as the gastronomic capital of Italy. It has been nicknamed "la rossa" (the red) because of its colorful architecture, and it has numerous attractions and much to offer travelers of all budgets.
My husband and i visited Bologna briefly as part of our second trip to Italy. Although we were only there for one day, we were able to visit a number of attractions during the course of one afternoon and evening. It was worth the visit - Bologna's architecture, well-preserved historic center and vibrant cultural scene make it very alluring.
(Photo of Bologna, courtesy of Szs on Wikimedia Commons.}
GNU Free Documentation
Article copyright Heidi Brault.
© 2010 Heidi Brault. All Rights Reserved
Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.}
Bologna, Italy - On the Map
Map of Italy
Bologna is well-served by Guglielmo Marconi Airport, an international airport, which is located approximately 6 km from Bologna. It is also easy to reach by train - it is one of the major railway hubs in Italy. During one of our trips to Italy, we enjoyed a few days in Florence and then took the train to Bologna, before continuing on to Venice.
{Map of Italy - public domain map courtesy of the CIA World Factbook.}
Medieval Architecture
Medieval Architecture in Bologna, Italy
.jpg "View of Due Torri in Bologna (Wikimedia public domain photo)")
Red rooftops, Apennine stone Atlases, a duomo rivaling Rome's San Pietro, and with no less than two leaning towers, Bologna bedazzles its visitors. Its "Due Torri", two medieval tilted towers, Asinelli and Garisenda, are two of the city's twenty towers which once numbered two hundred. You enter Bologna's historic center by any one of its twelve city gates and the city's porticos shade from the sun and shield from the wind. Believe me, on a hot day it's great having those porticos as you meander your way through the city.{Image shown of the "due torri" (two towers) in Bologna, courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.}
Bologna, Italy - Porticos
Arcades in Bologna, Italy
Bologna's arcades or porticos are a great place for a stroll. These covered walkways are just one of Bologna's numerous interesting architectural features.. {Photo taken in Bologna during an overnight stay in Bologna as part of an extended holiday in Italy. Photo copyright Heidi Brault.
© 2010 Heidi Brault. All Rights Reserved
Bologna - Basilicas and Churches
Basilicas and Churches in Bologna
The labyrinth of four churches, not obvious from its exterior, is Santo Stefano. Erected on the ruins of a pagan temple, it is worth a visit. Bologna's "Il Duomo", San Petronio Basilica is in Piazza Maggiore, Bologna's largest public square. Grandiose plans were devised for Bologna's duomo, but funds expired as you'll notice from the part-marble, part-brick facade. Apparently, the basilica's size had to be curtailed so as not to surpass St. Peter's Basilica in Rome.{Image of Bologna's duomo, provided courtesy of author Giovanni Dall"Orto on Wikimedia Commons.}
European Capital of Culture
Bologna was made a European Capital of Culture in 2000.
European Capital of Culture
Bologna, Italy - Cultural Attractions
Bologna is home to one of the world's oldest universities, founded in 1088 and chartered in 1158. The University of Bologna was originally a center for canon and civil law, attracting mature, male students from the ranks of archdeacons and heads of schools. Women joined the staff and student body in the 18th century. Students make up a sizeable portion of Bologna's population and local businesses cater to their demands.Other cultural attractions include a Picture Gallery and an archeological museum. There are also a number of bookstores in Bologna, including English-language bookstores, in which I vividly remember browsing the shelves and selecting a number of Italian language resources. For music enthusiasts, there are free outdoor concerts in Piazza Maggiore; local and travelling musicians woo the crowds - my introduction to Hungarian folk music was in Bologna's Piazza Maggiore!
{Public domain photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.}
Articles on Bologna, Italy
- Bologna - Wikipedia
- History of Bologna, as well as its geography, culture, main sights, economy, transport and demographics.
- University of Bologna
- Overview of the organization and faculties of the University of Bologna, as well as information on its notable members.
Bologna, Italy - Poll
Travel Bologna - Poll
Note: Photo of Palazzo d'Accursio in Bologna, Italy - public domain photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.
Bolognese Trivia
Guglielmo Marconi, inventor of the radio, was born close to the city and educated in Bologna. Bologna's international airport is named after him.
Bologna Guglielmo Marconi Airport
Bologna - Fun Quiz
Fun Test - Bologna, Italy
Try this fun test on Bologna, Italy.
Bologna, Italy - Travel
Vintage Travel Poster - Bologna, Italy
Travel Guides - Bologna
Bologna Travel Guides
Choose your travel guide.
Where to Stay in Bologna
- Bologna Hotels
- Hotels in Bologna, Italy.
- Bologna by Europe Cities
- Hotels in Bologna, Italy.
- Bologna Holiday Apartments
- Self-catering accommodations in Bologna, Italy.
- Bologna Apartments
- Homelidays - holiday apartments in Bologna, Italy.
Learning Vacations in Bologna
Consider a learning vacation in Bologna.
- Best Single Travel - Italian Cooking Class Vacations in Bologna
- Italian cooking classes in Bologna, Italy. Information on accommodations, schedule, and booking.
- Madrelingua: Italian Language Schools in Bologna
- Various types of Italian language courses offered at Madrelingua in Bologna, Italy.
- Apple Languages
- Apple Languages offers Italian language courses in Bologna as well as in other locations in Italy.
- Cactus Language
- Cactus Language offers Italian courses in Bologna as well as in other destinations in Italy. They also offer music and dance lessons, and gastronomy courses.
Northern Italy on Film
Northern Italy Travel DVDs and Videos
Select your travel DVD or video.
Travel Guides & Maps - Northern Italy
Select your travel guide and map of northern Italy.
Plan Your Trip!
Flights/Hotels/Auto Rentals
Book your trip to northern Italy.
Northern Italy on Squidoo
Travel Destinations in Northern Italy
Spotlight on Bergamo, ItalyLocated in Italy's Lombardy region, Bergamo is a three-tier city, with its historic center being a medieval walled town. The layout of the city resembles a t...
Trentino-Alto Adige, ItalyWelcome to Trentino-Alto Adige, a region in northeastern Italy that boasts an interesting mix of Italian and Austrian culture - Austrian architecture and cui...
Spotlight on Florence, Italy (Firenze, Italia)Florence, or Firenze in Italian, is a Renaissance city and its historic center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is also known as the art capital of Italy....
Spotlight on Livorno, ItalyLivorno, Italy, is Tuscany's third largest city and is the capital of the province of Livorno. It is also referred to as Leghorn in English. Its origins date...
Cinque Terre: Gem of LiguriaCinque Terre, comprised of five seaside villages along the Italian Riviera in Liguria, Italy, also includes a national park (Parco Nazionale delle Cinque Ter...
Your Turn
Did you enjoy your visit to Bologna, Italy?
Your thoughts or just say hi - my guestbook is open for comments from visitors and Squidoo members. Let me know you've dropped by.
-
-
marsha32 Apr 12, 2012 @ 12:42 pm | delete
- I've never traveled abroad but if I ever get a chance there are just so many places I would love to get to see in person.
-
-
-
oceansky Apr 9, 2012 @ 6:07 am | delete
- Wonderful spotlight on Bologna, Italy.
-
-
-
- Wonderful spotlight on Bologna, Italy.
-
-
-
Tipi
Mar 24, 2012 @ 12:51 pm | delete
- Just felt like stopping by Bologna, Italy again.
This lens just give me the feel of a tour! :)
-
-
-
Joan4
Mar 14, 2012 @ 6:51 am | delete
- Beautiful. What an education you are providing with your tours via the internet. It's hard for me to imagine the building of those towers. wow!
-
- Load More
Hello Everyone!
About Me
by traveller27
Hello! My passions include travelling(especially to Europe), spiritual development, travel writing, foreign languages, Nordic walking and music/singin... more »
- 98 featured lenses
- Winner of 39 trophies!
- Top lens » Venice: Italy's Canal City
Explore related pages
- Venice: Italy's Canal City Venice: Italy's Canal City
- Spotlight on Rome, Italy Spotlight on Rome, Italy
- Italy: Travel Lensography - Traveller27 (Heidi Brault) Italy: Travel Lensography - Traveller27 (Heidi Brault)
- Spotlight on Florence, Italy (Firenze, Italia) Spotlight on Florence, Italy (Firenze, Italia)
- Spotlight on Assisi, Italy Spotlight on Assisi, Italy
- Spotlight on Bergamo, Italy Spotlight on Bergamo, Italy
Celebrating Italian Culture
Gifts for Travelers
Lensographies by Traveller27
Lensographies by Heidi Brault
