Bologna is the capital city in the Emilia-Romagna region of northern
Italy. It lies in the Pianura Padana, between the Po River and the Apennines.
Bologna is the home of the world’s oldest university. The University
of Bologna was founded in 1088, and is still operating today, having
a student base of over 100,000. Bologna is currently one of the
most developed cities in Italy.
The Red One or la rossa is
a common nickname of Bologna, due to the color of the roofs in its
historic center. Other nicknames given to the city include The Learned
One, or la dotta, because of the University of Bologna, and The
Fat One, or la grassa. This one is due to Bologna’s wonderful Italian
cuisine. Because of Bologna’s grand obsession with basketball, it
has also been called The Basket City.
Bologna is one of Italy’s
most important railway and motorway hubs. Its Fiera District or exhibition
area is Italy’s second largest, and Europe’s fourth largest. Exhibitions
like the Motorshow for cars and motorcycles, and buildings such as the
Saie, Saiedue, and Cersaie contribute to the importance of Bologna.
The Centergross, located in the northern metropolitan area was built in
1973, and was the largest in Europe for many years. It was also the very
first Italian vegetable and fruit market. Bologna is also home to
many monuments, museums, and a very rich cultural life.
Bologna's population
is around 943,983, with 94 percent being native Italians. The winters in
this part of Italy can be bitingly cold, especially during January. The
summers, on the other hand, are extremely hot, normally during July and
August. The best time to visit and tour Bologna is in the spring
or fall, when the temperatures are not extreme in one direction or the
other. Spring and fall are normally mild, with warm days and cool nights.
Bologna is adorned with
old brick palaces and streets of portico squares. Its beautiful and historic
appearance makes it one of the most attractive cities in all of Italy.
History seems to abound in every building and on every street. Besides
the University, there are many points of interest to behold in this lovely
city. The centre alone is worth visiting, with its medieval appeal of red
brick, tiled roofs, and balconies that stretch out from the square of Piazza
Maggiore. The University has theatre, music, and the city’s summer festival.
You can also take in the various cafés and bars.
There are many reasons to
visit Bologna. Whether you want to gaze at the historically inspired
buildings, or spend the day leisurely taking in the busy city streets from
a sidewalk café, you will definitely find your trip to Bologna
inspiring and memorable. |
