Bologna
Red City
General Information
Other Name: -, District: NA, State: Emilia Romagna, Italy
Area: 140.73 km²
Languages Spoken: Italian
Long Distance Code: -
Importance: -
Best Time to Visit: April to July and -
International Access: -Description
Bologna,is the capital city of Emilia-Romagna in northern Italy.Bologna is one of the most developed cities in Italy. Bologna often ranks as one of the top cities related to quality of life in Italy, being ranked 5th in 2006 and 12th in 2007 out of 103 Italian cities.It is one of the cultural capitals of Europe, with its prestigious university founded in 1088, which today offers 250 different majors to more than 100,000 students. Its character is expressed in the red of its buildings and the long, long porticoes which are everywhere.The beautiful city centre in Bologna is well preserved and maintained and is a credit to the city`s policy of preservation. With unified architecture and marbled pavements, Bologna is well pedestrianised and easily explored by foot.In the heart of Bologna are the city`s two main squares, the Piazza Maggiore and the Piazza del Nettuno. From here most of the Bologna`s main tourists attractions and historical monuments are within walking distance, including the two leaning towers - one of the main symbols of Bologna and almost seeming to defy gravity, Piazza Maggiore - at the centre of the oldest part of Bologna, a huge pedestrian square that is surrounded by some of Bologna`s most impressive medieval and Renaissance buildings, and the Piazza del Nettuno, with its well-known fountain, the Fontana di Nettuno (Fountain of Neptune). Bologna`s Basilica di San Petronio is the citys largest church and the fifth largest of its kind in the whole world.Location
-Climate
-
In 1236, the Franciscans began building this beautiful Basilica. The façade overlooking Piazza San Francesco has retained its Romanesque-Gothic features with a single spire. The portal is adorned with 18th century features. Inside, the visitor will find the best of Italian-Gothic albeit with a modicum of French influence - it was the first to be built with three naves jutting out from six sections at the top of high octagonal pillars. Among the works of art kept in this holy building, there is an extraordinary altar piece from the late 14th Century by Jacobello and Pier Paolo delle Masegne.
The Giardini Margherita is the perfect place to visit! It is situated in the city center, but far from the noise of the traffic and are generally full of Bolognese families. The gardens contain a pretty little lake which is full of gold fish and little turtles, and some "flying carpets" where you can jump like grass hoppers, a basketball court, a small car roundabout for very small children, and lots of open space where you can play ball games. There is also an gelato stall, a balloon seller and a cotton candy stall.
In the hall of the Palazzo d''Accursio , the Museo Morandi is the most important collection of works of the Bolognese maestro Giorgio Morandi (1890-1964). This came into being thanks to the donations that the famous painters sister made to the council and was opened in 1993, putting over 200 works on show placed side by side with a rich collection of volumes and numerous works of art belonging to Morandi himself. Inside the museum there is even a reconstruction of the studio in which the artist worked.
Walking down the narrow streets in the city center between Piazza Maggiore and Via Barberia, you will come across this unusual building in Via Val d''Aposa: the Oratorio Santo Spirito. It was built at the end of the 15th Century. It is exceedingly small and the facade is completely covered with relief sculptures and terracotta figures.Excavations under the building uncovered the remains of an ancient Roman arch.
The Piazza Maggiore is a huge pedestrian square in the centre of the oldest part of the city. Surrounded by many of Bologna''s Renaissance and medieval buildings and landmarks, the Piazza Maggiore is situated next to the Piazza del Nattuno.
Bologna''s Opera House hosts 80 shows per year, more than 70 concerts during the season and many international touring operatic performances; it is an unrivaled temple of high quality opera and dance. Located on the left-hand side of Piazza Verdi (the center of the University campus), the Teatro Comunale adjoins the magnificent Palazzo Bentivoglio .
Standing in the center of the Piazza di Porta Ravenna, the highest tower in Bologna, an emblematic symbol of the ''towered city'' lofts 97 meters into the sky, undisputed queen of the Bolognese rooftop panorama. Legend says that this tower was built by the Asinelli family at the beginning of the 12th Century. It has strong foundations and it is surrounded by a protective railing. At its summit it displays the Guelf battlements. The 498 steps take you to the very top, from where you can enjoy a really incredible view.
Erected in the Baroque style by Carlo Francesco Dotti in 1741, the long portico leading to the majestic Santuario is made up of 666 arches which run for 3500 meters from Porta Saragozza to the sanctuary on Colle della Guardia. Built in honor of an image of the Madonna, the edifice is beautiful, both for its architecture and its exclusive view. Each May the citizens of Bologna carry the figure of the Madonna around the city in procession.