Cozy, charming, rich in art and culture , lively and people-friendly are just some of the features of Bologna, the capital of a thousand faces of Emilia Romagna .
While retaining the appearance of an ancient village of the past, Bologna is also one of the most advanced modern Italian city, became a symbol of cultural integration and the quality of services. For these reasons it is a favorite destination for tourists, resident students and anyone looking for new job opportunities.
PIAZZA MAGGIORE
Called the " Red " for the color of the roofs of the old town, the " Learned" because it is home to one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in the world ( Alma Mater Studiorum ) and " Fat" for the succulence of its gastronomy, the city develops around the ancient Piazza Maggiore, overlooked by the most important buildings.
SAN PETRONIO BASILICA
Majestic and impressive, the Basilica of San Petronio was built between the fourteenth and the seventeenth century by the architect Antonio Di Vincenzo by the Municipality.
Today, its interior contains paintings by excellent artists such as Giovanni da Modena, Jacopo di Paolo, Lorenzo Costa and Aspertini.
Leaving San Petronio, on the east side, through the elegant porch via dell'Archiginnasio animated by shops and boutiques, you get to Piazza Galvani overlooked by the Archiginnasio Palace, home of the University of Bologna from 500 to ' 800, and the apse of San Petronio unfinished. Here, for a pleasant break or an aperitif, it is recommended that the historian " Caffè Zanarini", one of the most "in" bars of Bologna. A few steps, turn left on Via Farini is important to take a stroll in the luxurious Galleria Cavour to admire the top fashion designers in the world.
PALACE ACCURSIO
Returning to Piazza Maggiore, you do well to note the Town Hall, also known as Palazzo d'Accursio from the surname of the rich Bolognese family who stayed there in the past. It is actually a complex of buildings that, over the centuries, were added to a nucleus purchased by the City at the end of 200.
THE BOLOGNA TOWERS
In Bologna, between the twelfth and thirteenth centuries, many towers were erected as a symbol of power of the wealthiest families and as defense and offense between them, opposing each other during the period of the investiture controversy pro- imperial and pro- papal. Other lower towers (defined as " tower houses " ) had, instead, a function space and in fact were equipped with several openings, of less thick walls and a rectangular plan.
TOWER OF ASINELLI AND TOWER GARISENDA
The Asinelli Tower, built between 1109 and 1119 by the noble family of Bologna, is open to the public. Through its 500 ancient steps , we arrive at the top of its 97.20 meters from where you can enjoy a wonderful view of the entire city and the hills of Bologna. During the climb, you are amazed by its architecture remained unchanged and full of suggestive hatches and ladders of wood as an ancient castle. The Garisenda Tower , from the same era , was built by the family Garisendi, with a height of about 48 meters. In 1300, because of its dangerous inclination, it had to carry out a partial abatement.
COMPLEX OF SANTO STEFANO
A few steps from Piazza della Mercanzia is reached in one of the most beautiful and pleasant Bologna corners, the complex of Santo Stefano, also known as the Seven Churches of Bologna.
Of Roman origin, the complex was born from the union of the courtyards and arcades of seven churches and chapels.
SHOPPING TRAILS OF BOLOGNA
The entire historic center offers streets full of shops, able to meet the needs of any customer, but among the most " fashionable " in this field, are reported via Farini, Galleria Cavour, Via Ugo Bssi, via Independenza or via San Felice.
For lovers, the markets we recommend a walk in the Piazza VIII Agosto, facing Giardini della Montagnola where, every Friday and Saturday, it plays a big market with stalls of various kinds from clothing to the new vintage, from shoes to household.
