{"id":9760,"date":"2022-04-04T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2022-04-04T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/yollacalls.com\/temp\/bologna-part1\/"},"modified":"2023-02-06T13:56:44","modified_gmt":"2023-02-06T13:56:44","slug":"bologna-part1","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/yollacalls.com\/blog\/bologna-part1\/","title":{"rendered":"What is Bologna Italy Known For? Discover the Secrets of Bologna"},"content":{"rendered":"

I recently heard someone asking, <\/span>what is Bologna Italy known for<\/b>? And it got me thinking: there are many lesser-known places (luckily) in the world that are incredibly beautiful. And our carried-away-with-Italy PR and marketing manager Natalie happens to know everything there is to know about Bologna. So we decided, why not shed some light on this pleasant city? In this series of three articles, we\u2019re going to answer the question, <\/span>what is Bologna Italy known for<\/span><\/i>? and show you how beautiful this unknown city is.<\/span><\/p>\n

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La Grassa. La Dotta. La Rossa<\/span><\/h3>\n

While Italy is famous for the Renaissance, language, artists, opera, beautiful architecture and more, there are lesser-known destinations here that are equally impressive. Bologna is a perfect example.<\/span><\/p>\n

The city has pedestrian walkways, bike-only zones and highly evolved social services. Interestingly, it has a triple nickname, \u201cLa Dotta\u201d (the learned one\u201d), La Grassa (the fat one), and La Rossa (the red one) due to its famed university, super delicious cuisine and terracotta buildings, porticos, and engaging ochre roofs.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Here\u2019s what makes Bologna, Italy such a pleasant Italian city.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What is Bologna Italy known for?<\/span><\/h3>\n

Bologna – what is it known for? Before we dive in, let\u2019s cover some interesting facts about this city.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Bologna, the capital of the Emilia-Romagna region, isn\u2019t a typical Italian city that comes to mind when we hear the word \u201cpasta\u201d. So, <\/span>where is Bologna Italy? <\/b>Located at the intersection of the major Italian railroads, the city stays off well-known tourists destinations and is hardly mentioned in Italian travel guides. But that\u2019s a blessing \u2013 we all have a chance to enjoy its authentic atmosphere without a single trace of fuss.<\/span><\/p>\n

Interesting Facts About Bologna – What is Bologna Italy Known for?<\/span><\/h3>\n

Bologna was founded in the 6th century BC as Felsina. Pretty old, huh? But it would be fair to say that the latest history of the city began with the foundation of the Bologna University in 1088 \u2013 the first university in the world.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Currently, more than 500,000 students live in the city, including Erasmus and other overseas students, which makes Bologna one of the youngest, most fun, and energetic cities in Italy or, probably, all of Europe. Or even in the world.<\/span><\/p>\n

But Bologna isn\u2019t just about medieval elegance in the reign of youth. The city has two contradictory halves: a hi-tech, hard-working city on one side, and a place of pure Italian charm on the other.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

There are thousands of spots well worth immersing into by yourself, and good old sightseeing is only a little step toward falling in love with the city.<\/span><\/p>\n

So, what is Bologna Italy known for? Let\u2019s have a look. Here are 10 of the best things to do in Bologna, Italy.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What is Bologna Italy Known For? 10 Things to Do, Taste and Try<\/span><\/h2>\n

What is Bologna Italy known for? Here are 10 things to do, taste and try in Bologna.<\/span><\/p>\n

1. Local Cuisine – What is Bologna Italy known for?<\/span><\/h3>\n

The Bologna region, or more accurately the Emilia-Romagna region, is well known for its cuisine and Bologna is one of the best places to try its varieties. So many people are curious, what food is Bologna Italy known for?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

There is so much more to try in Bologna city than spaghetti bolognese. At many restaurants, you\u2019ll find a variety of handmade traditional Italian dishes like tortellini, lasagna and tagliatelle.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Tagliatelle is often served covered in ragu, a slow-cooked meat sauce. Salami and mortadella are also staples of Bologna cuisine. If you\u2019re interested in high-standard restaurants, you\u2019re in luck. Bologna is a host of many Michelin-starred restaurants serving all of the above-mentioned dishes plus more.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

2. View and Walk the Porticos<\/span><\/h3>\n

The porticos of Bologna are one of this city\u2019s most unique features. Bologna is one of the most \u201carcaded\u201d cities of Italy. Visitors can walk the city at night even in the rain because of Bologna\u2019s vast expanse of these corridors. And they make window shopping a real pleasure.<\/span><\/p>\n

The porticos were originally built to accommodate the rapidly growing population of the city, partially due to its growing university.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

When the University of Bologna was established in 1088AD, its student base grew rapidly as the university began hosting students from all over Europe. To accommodate this growth, the city council needed to change the layout of the city. At that time, corridors were commonly used to extend the living space of homes and were used as an example for expanding Bologna\u2019s public space.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Many other cities around Italy used these porticos to make space for residents. However, because they encroached on streets, many cities forbid them.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Bologna, on the other hand, took advantage of this unique way of expanding the public and living spaces of the city. They even created a strict set of rules for how to create them. For example, they had to be 7 meters tall, so a person on a horse could pass through them. Today, it\u2019s what Bologna Italy is known for.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

3. View the Architecture<\/span><\/h3>\n

If you\u2019re curious about what Bologna Italy is known for, we can tell you that its architecture is one reason people visit here. The porticos of Bologna city are just one of the many beautiful architectural features of Bologna’s compact medieval center. The city, in general, is filled with many beautiful churches, civil buildings and monuments. We also recommend you visit the Santuario di Madonna di San Luca church atop the hill and the Chiesa di San Giacomo Maggiore, which has baroque and renaissance influences. The former main building of the university is also a pleasure to gaze at – the <\/span>Archginnasio of Bologna<\/span><\/a>. It currently houses the Teatro Anatomica.<\/span><\/p>\n

4. Piazza Maggiore – What is Bologna Italy known for?<\/span><\/h3>\n

We understand you\u2019re curious about what Bologna Italy is known for. While this feature may not have made Bologna famous, this is one of its primary features. A visit to Bologna city shouldn\u2019t miss the beautiful central square – the heart of the historical center. The Piazza Maggiore was built between the 12th and 15th centuries and the open space of this square is lined with architectural delights on all sides.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

On the west side of the Piazza Maggiore, you can see the former city hall Pallazo d\u2019Accursio.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

On the southeast side, you can see Basilique San Petronio, the dome of Bologna.<\/span><\/p>\n

On the northern side of the square, you\u2019ll notice the Pallazo del Podest\u00e0 (the former justice palace), the main public library and the well-known fountain of Neptune. The fountain of Neptune is a good representation of the late renaissance style called Mannerism, a style popular among the Italian elite in the 16th century, which was followed by Baroque.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

5. Climb Asinelli Tower for Spectacular Views<\/span><\/h3>\n

What is Bologna Italy known for? Its towers are one of the key features of this city. Bologna city\u2019s skyline has a collection of many historic towers offering superb panoramas over the beautiful city below. The tallest of them is the Asinelli. Together with the nearby Garisenda Tower, both are referred to by the locals as Le Due Torri (Two Towers).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

You can reach them in 5 minutes on foot from the Piazza Maggiore.<\/span><\/p>\n

After enjoying a big lunch, you can get a bit of exercise by climbing the 500 steps of Asinelli\u2019s spiraling staircase. From the top, you can see many of the city\u2019s primary landmarks and surrounding countryside. The view is well worth the effort, but be sure you\u2019re in good shape for the climb.<\/span><\/p>\n

It costs around 5 euros to climb the tower and you can buy tickets in advance from the towers\u2019 <\/span>official website<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

6. Try New Flavors Along Via Clavature\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

What is Bologna Italy known for? The university, architecture and delicious cuisine. If climbing Le Due Torri doesn\u2019t suit your fancy, don\u2019t forget you can always turn back to the local cuisine. Another interesting walk off Piazza Maggiore is along Via Clavature. This road features many small food stalls. You can also find several small markets off its sidestreets. For example, the Pescheria Brunelli is the oldest fish market in the city. For a quick bite to eat, the Mercato di Mezzo is another interesting covered market filled with restaurants and small bites.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

7. San Domenico Basilica & Michelangelo\u2019s Sculptures<\/span><\/h3>\n

Another route south off Piazza Maggiore leads to the San Domenico Basilica, one of the great churches of Bologna city. This basilica holds a special place in the art history of Bologna.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Along the way there, you\u2019ll pass the east side of San Petronio\u2019s Basilica before reaching the unique Piazza San Domenico, which is paved in river-pebbles as it was in use in the middle ages.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Here, you\u2019ll find the 13th-century San Domenico Basilica, boasting Romanesque features and a spectacular rose window, which looks stunning from the inside. Among the sculptures, you\u2019ll find three originals from Michelangelo. Entrance is free.<\/span><\/p>\n

8. Explore Interlocking Churches\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

What is Bologna Italy known for? While the city may not be famous for its plazas and beautiful historic buildings, such sights are indeed there. In the quaint Piazza Santo Stefano, which is also known as the Piazza delle Sette Chiese, you\u2019ll find a series of interlocking Roman churches. The oldest one, called Santi Vitale e Agricola, contains Roman columns and pieces of Roman temples and is named after two saints in Bologna during the era of the Roman Emperor Diocletian. Here, you\u2019ll also find an interesting courtyard with a network of little chapels.<\/span><\/p>\n

9. Archiginnassio<\/span><\/h3>\n

What is Bologna Italy known for? Bologna is where the first university in the world was established. We mentioned above that the Archiginnassio is the former main building of the university. But it\u2019s perhaps one of the most important buildings of Bologna city, so it deserves more attention.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Today, the building serves as a museum, also housing a public library and anatomical theater. It only lost its function as the primary university building when the city moved the university to Palazzo Pogo in 1803.<\/span><\/p>\n

The public library opened in 1838. It\u2019s the largest of the Emilia-Romagna region, containing a grand historical collection of more than 850,000 books, magazines, manuscripts and pamphlets. Some of its pieces date back to the 16th century. The theater is in the shape of an amphitheater.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The building was unfortunately bombed and completely destroyed in World War II. However, it was rebuilt with the surviving original pieces.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

10. Art of Pinacoteca Nazionale\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

View original pieces from artists like El Greco and Raphael.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What is Bologna Italy known for? Like much of Italy, in Bologna there is no shortage of historic art. The Pinacoteca Nazionale in Bologna city is one of the best galleries in all of Italy. It contains several important works of art, including oil paintings that date back to the 13th century. The gallery is located inside a former Jesuit building, where you\u2019ll also find the <\/span>Academy of Fine Arts<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Bonus: Find Bologna\u2019s Hidden Canals\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

When answering the question, \u2018what is Bologna Italy known for?\u2019, you may not expect us to say canals. Bologna city isn\u2019t as famous as Venice for its canals, but this may just be because Bologna\u2019s canals are hidden behind the buildings. You can easily get a peek into Bologna\u2019s beautiful canals through the window located on <\/span>Via Piella<\/span><\/a>, where you can view the Canale delle Moline, a part of the medieval canal system of Bologna. Or you can simply book a hotel or apartment alongside the canals with a view over the water.<\/span><\/p>\n

What is Bologna Italy Known For? There\u2019s more<\/span><\/h2>\n

The beautiful thing about Bologna city is that there\u2019s always more to explore and uncover. If you still want to discover more about this city and what it\u2019s famous for, have a look at the next three articles in our Bologna city series.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In Part 2, we dive deeper into the question, <\/span>\u2018What is Bologna Italy known for<\/span><\/i>?\u2019. We show you some of the most traditional ways to experience Bologna:<\/span><\/p>\n