Italy | Bologne

Bologna is the capital city of Emilia-Romagna, in the Po Valley of northern Italy.

The city lies between the Po River and the Apennine Mountains, more specifically, between the Reno River and the Savena River. Home to the oldest university in the Western world, "University of Bologna", founded in 1088, Bologna is one of the most developed cities in Italy. Bologna often ranks as one of the top cities, in terms of quality of life in Italy. This is due to its strong industrial tradition, its wide range of highly-developed social services, and its physical location at the crossing-point of the most important highways and railways in the country.

Until the early nineteenth century, when a large-scale urban reconstruction project was undertaken, Bologna remained one of the best-preserved medieval cities in Europe; to this day it remains unique in its historic value. Despite having suffered considerable bombing damage in 1944, Bologna's historic centre, Europe's second largest ,contains a wealth of important Medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque artistic monuments.

The cityscape is enriched by elegant and extensive arcades (or porticos), for which the city is famous. In total, there are some 38 kilometres of arcades in the city's historical center, which make it possible to walk for long distances sheltered from rain, snow, or hot summer sun. The Portico of San Luca, one of the longest in the world (3.5 km, 666 arcades)[connects the Porta Saragozza (one of the twelve gates of the ancient walls built in the Middle Ages, which circled a 7.5 km part of the city) with the San Luca Sanctuary, on Colle della Guardia, over the city .

Main attractions include the University of Bologna, there are usually plenty of concerts, films and performances in clubs, Bologna is one of the great culture centres in Italy and many theatrical performances and operas are held at the Teatro Duse in Via Cartoleria and the drama season runs from November to may.

Annual events include:

  • Carnavel, February
  • Imola - Formula 1 Grand Prix of San Marino, April / May
  • Bologna City of Food, September
  • Goro - Ottobre d'Oro, cultural events and films, October