Bologna Travel Recommendations for 2024 (Updated in May)

The University of Bologna, called “Alma mater studiorum - Università di Bologna” or shortened in UNIBO is the oldest university in the world. Although it existed before its creation in 1088, it is in 1088 that is was structured, hence founded, as an organised guild of students (hence studiorum), creating the modern concept of university and the first place of study to use the term universitas for the corporations of students and masters. Still to this day, it is one of the leading academic institutions in Italy and Europe. It is one of the most prestigious Italian universities, commonly ranking in the first places of national rankings. “Via Zamboni” has been made during the 19th century the Main Street for students as they can find many faculties and libraries but also cafes and pubs to enjoy the typical student life (movida). Many of the buildings are worth visiting and you might find some hidden museums and treasures. Otherwise, when in Bologna, just take a walk and stroll along the street and enjoy the vibe. #instagramworthydestinations #travelinspiration #awesomepic #uniqueexperience #university #unforgettableexperiences #bologna #urbanexplorer #scenicspotguide

Bologna is the largest city (and the capital) of the Emilia-Romagna Region in Northern Italy. It is the seventh most populous city in Italy, located in the heart of a metropolitan area (officially recognized by the Italian government as a metropolitan city) of about one million. The first settlements date back to at least 1000 BC. The city has been an urban center, first under the Etruscans (Velzna / Felsina) and the Celts (Bona), then under the Romans (Bononia), then again in the Middle Ages, as a free municipality (for one century it was the fifth largest European city based on population). Home to the oldest university in the world, University of Bologna, founded in 1088, Bologna hosts thousands of students who enrich the social and cultural life of the city. Famous for its towers and lengthy porticoes, Bologna has a well-preserved historical center (one of the largest in Italy) thanks to a careful restoration and conservation policy which began at the end of the 1970s, on the heels of serious damage done by the urban demolition at the end of the 19th century as well as that caused by wars. An important cultural and artistic center, its importance in terms of landmarks can be attributed to a varied mixture of monuments and architectural examples (medieval towers, antique buildings, churches, the layout of its historical center) as well as works of art which are the result of a first class architectural and artistic history. Bologna is also an important crossroad transportation for the roads and trains of Northern Italy, where many important mechanical, electronic and nutritional industries have their headquarters. According to the most recent data gathered by the European Regional Economic Growth Index (E-REGI) of 2009, Bologna is the first Italian city and the 47th European city in terms of its economic growth rate. #mynovgetaway #thanksgiving #mynovgetaway#thanksgiving

I thought I had seen all the most beautiful cities in Italy, but Bologna touched me with its beauty. This city not far from Florence and Parma is a little jewel. A student city, it is very lively during the day as well as in the evening, except maybe in summer. There are lots of things to visit starting with the famous leaning towers Asinelli and Garisenda. Don't forget to buy your tickets online. I really liked to climb on the Asinelli tower to see the city from 360° but also on the terrace of the Basilica of San Petronio which gives you another point of view and especially the one of the leaning towers. Bologna is recognizable by the red color of the buildings, which brings a lot of charm to the city. I also visited it at sunrise to see it differently. It was a real pleasure to walk there with no tourist. Last thing to do before leaving it, go and see the last remaining canals. One of these canals is on the Via Piella. There is a small window that will give you a view of part of the canal. #awesomepic #unforgettableexperiences #travelinspiration #instagramworthydestinations

#bologna is a city in central #italy and it is famous because nearby there are some speed cars manufacturers. I did not visit it because them but because the historical sights and the architecture. I really enjoyed the old style buildings and also the view from the top of the old tower of Bologna. It really worth a visit. #happynewyear

Over the centuries, particularly between the 12th and the 13th century, Bologna was a city full of towers. Almost all the towers were tall (the highest being 97m), defensive stone towers; the number of towers in the city was very high, possibly over 200. There are now 25 towers left without counting the hundreds of bell towers in the city. The Two Towers, “Le due torri”, both of them leaning, are the symbol of Bologna, and the most prominent of Bologna. (Until 1919, there were 5 towers in this square) The taller one is called the Asinelli while the smaller but more leaning tower is called the Garisenda. Their names derive from the families which are traditionally credited with constructing them between 1109 and 1119. The Asinelli Tower was used by the scientists Giovanni Battista Riccioli (in 1640) and Giovanni Battista Guglielmini (in the following century) for experiments to study the motion of heavy bodies and the earth rotation. In World War II, between 1943 and 1945, it was used as a sight post: during bombing attacks, four volunteers took post at the top to direct rescue operations to places hit by Allied bombs. Later, a RAI television relay was installed on top. Architect Minoru Yamasaki is thought to have been inspired by the Towers when designing the World Trade Center during the 1960s. The Garisenda Tower today has a height of 48 m with an overhang of 3.2 m. Initially it was approximately 60 m high, but had to be lowered in the 14th century due to a yielding of the ground which left it slanting and dangerous. It was cited several times by Dante in the Divine Comedy and The Rhymes (a confirmation of his stay in Bologna), and by Goethe in his Italian Journey. The Two Towers have also been the subject of an eponymous poem by Giosuè Carducci as part of the Barbarian Odes. Charles Dickens wrote about the towers in his Pictures from Italy. You can still visit and climb to the top of the Asinelli Tower. #instagramworthydestinations #urbanexplorer #unforgettableexperiences

Bologna in Italy is also one of the most interesting city I have ever been in. The city which very strong in culture offers great variety of amazing food and wine. Take a look around the original architecture design of the city and the tower in the middle of the city is also amazing. Overall, I love staying here. #wintergetaway #wintergetaway

Two Towers almost collide in Bologna

Pisa is not the only city with a leaning tower. Bologna has it’s own tower that is no less spectacular. It is marbling to look at it and immensely the question arises how do the towers not collide. You might even be fearful of walking up the stairs, but the centuries old history is proof that the mankind in an attempt to develop in architecture has withstood the time. #italy #bologna

Walking around Giardini Margherita is one of the most relaxing things you can do in Bologna, especially during the sunset. The park is nice and there’s a chalet on the pond where you can have a coffee and relax. The pond is filled with fish, turtles, ducks and swans. If you can, bring something to feed them (although they never go hungry). On the hillside of the park, there are a basketball and a volleyball fields, and during spring/summer trampolines and cotton candy! #beautifulsunsets #travelinspiration #unforgettableexperiences #awesomepic #urbanexplorer #naturalwonders

Giardini Margherita is the most popular park in Bologna as well as the largest covering 26 hectares. It’s quite common for the locals to meet and relax there during the weekends, or enjoy a refreshing drink/ice cream/granita during the summer. Inaugurated in 1879 as Passeggio Regina Margherita, the park still maintains most of its original layout inspired by the English Romantic parks. While the park was being laid out, an Etruscan burial ground was discovered where the magnificent travertine grave at the side of the central lawn was found. On the southern side of the pond there is a short open-air stretch of the ancient Savena canal (1176), one of the waterways that once characterized the city. #triplocal #instagramworthydestinations #scenicspotguide #bologna #awesomepic #urbanexplorer #triplocal

Bologna Giardini Margherita spacious green

Bologna Giardini Margherita as a fairly large city park. Comfortable with green environment and chilly atmosphere.

al Żigànt - the Giant with a secret

The Fontana del Nettuno (Fountain of Neptune) has been nicknamed “al Żigànt” in dialect ("the Giant") by the Bolognese because of the size of the statue of Neptune. The fountain made of marble and bronze, was built between 1563 and 1566 by the Flemish sculptor Giambologna on a project by the Italian Tommaso Laureti. It is a symbol of the power of the Pope who ruled the world like Neptune ruled the seas. At the feet of the statue, in fact, lie four little angels, representing Gange, the Nile, the Amazon and Danube, i.e. the rivers of the continents known at the time. The trident of the Neptune's statue inspired and it was used by Maserati brothers as emblem for their first car, the Maserati Tipo 26. The logo was realized in 1920 by one of the brothers, Mario Maserati, at the suggestion of a family friend, Marquis Diego de Sterlich. This is still today the logo of the Maserati car company. The fountain and its sculpture are one of the most iconic symbols of the city and references to them can be found in many symbols, commercials and logos. This includes the historical students' fraternity (Goliardia) "Excelsa Neptuni Balla", on whose emblem figure two tridents. The Bolognese anecdote also tells of a particular expedient implemented by Giambologna, who intended to find a way to make Neptune with realistic genitals, without being discovered and admonished by the Church. The sculptor designed the statue in such a way that from a particular angle the thumb of Neptune's outstretched hand seems to emerge directly from the lower abdomen, making him suggest the (erect) genital; as proof of the same, in the pavement of the square there is a black stone, also called "of shame" placed in a very specific point in piazza del Nettuno (to be precise at the foot of the entrance stairway to the Salaborsa library) which facilitates its vision. #travelinspiration #momentsmission #decembertravel # #unforgettableexperiences #scenicspotguide #summervacation #springholiday

MIXED facade Basilica di San Petronio

This is an interesting building not typical of cathedrals! If you look closely, the top portion is not finished! Quick search indicates that it’s due to lack of funding many decades back during its construction phase - and hence the facade remain this condition ever since. Its overall areas also has a good vibes with the shopping belt just a stone throw away. Do visit to see it for yourself!