Bologna - An Old City with a Young Spirit

Visit Bologna, one of the most exciting cities in Italy.  It’s best known for its fabulous cuisine, arched ways and well preserved historical monuments. 

 But Bologna is also a place to enjoy a vibrant nightlife and fun filled festivals. 

Bologna has been said to be the birthplace of lasagna, prosciutto, mortadella and outstanding wines like the Lambrusco and Sangiovese varieties from nearby vineyards.  The line up of restaurants reads like a who’s who of the culinary world.  Osteria de Poeti, for instance, ranks as one of the best in the country serving regional specialties like tortellini with pumpkin filling. 

Bologna’s spirit is also represented in its wide range of music genres.  It’s no coincidence that UNESCO declared it the “City of Music.”  It’s also home to the oldest university dating back to 1088.  Millions of people from around the world attend this institution for its faculties or art history and music among many.

The best way to experience the sites is on foot.  In the center of the city you’ll encounter two important landmarks.  Start by touring Piazza Maggiore which is surrounded by the most incredible Medieval and Renaissance period structures.  Close to it you’ll find Piazza del Neptuno, boasting the famed bronze fountain of the god Neptune and its four cherubs representing the winds, waters and continents.  This outstanding icon was completed in the late 1500s. 

Don’t miss the Basilica di San Petronio, now the largest church in town and one of the biggest in the world.  The initial plans had to be changed, as it would have been bigger than St. Peter’s in Rome.

See the Palazzo Marescotti with its magnificent collection of paintings from the 16th century.  These depict tales and historical events.  Continue on to the Basilica di San Domenico where the remains of the founder of the Dominican order rests.  Take notice of the elaborate sarcophagus.  And if time allows, explore the Chiesa di San Francesco, one of the first churches to be constructed in Italy.  Its gothic style architecture, marble altar and the array of statues are truly stunning.  View the diverse scenes reflecting the life of St. Francis.

Bologna houses many treasures from the past but its spirit remains young.