Bologna

2016

We came again to Bologna, this time to stay in one of the most unusual hotel in the world.

Walked around the city and also in the surrounding mountains. First visited the church Madonna di San Luca, which is connected to the city by a monumental roofed arcade, 3.5 kilometers in length. There is a dedicated parking on site.


We did not find beautiful views, place is purely religious with a huge number of pilgrims.




Next location is a lookout San Michele In Bosco on the territory of the orthopedic institute. Can be reached by a bus 30 (schedule). This is the best lookout in Bologna. Parking is on site.


Next place is Villa Aldini. The building is in ruins, but the park offer views of the city. Free access through the hostel for refugees. No parking, we parked on the roadside.








And the last place is Villa Barruziana. It is a mental hospital, access to the the territory is open, parking is available. Small park offer views of the city.







2012

Bologna is well known among the Italians as a tourist city, but not so well known among tourists from other countries. The historic city center is one of the largest and best preserved centers. Bologna is famous for its arcades with a total length of 35 km! Curiously, the arcades have a height of 2 meters 66 centimeters, as horse riders used to ride under them.




The symbol of the city are the two falling towers mentioned in "The Divine Comedy" by Dante: Torre Garizenda (48 m) and Torre degli Azinelli (98 m), which you can climb by passing 500 steps. The towers were built with the same purpose as other similar structures - wealthy families were competing in the height of their towers.




In the Middle Ages the city looked like this. Nowadays only a few towers left.


Although they are a symbol of the city, the towers are not well known in the world, in contrast to many things, the names of which are associated with Bologna. Spaghetti Bolognese, Bologna system of education, Bologna sausage (Mortadella). The city has the first university in Europe that appeared in 1088. Actually, the word "university" also appeared here. Among the graduates of the University are Copernicus, Dante, Petrarch. In 1477, the first atlas in the world was printed in Bologna. Territory is open to public.




The central part is quite suitable for walking. Most of the museums are free of charge, though we didn't visit them, because we liked just to walk along the streets.








Biblioteca dell 'Archiginnasio is an Interesting place. You can visit or just walk in the beautiful patio.






On the Piazza S. Domenico you can see the coffins with the relics of the saints right in the middle of the city.




The city has trolleybusses.


Despite the historical status, it also has a graffiti.








Getting there: Bologna is located near the main Italian motorway A1. By train: 37 minutes from Florence, 65 minutes from Milan, 1 hour and 30 minutes from Venice and 2 hours and 22 minutes from Rome. Has its own airport that can be reached in 15 minutes by car from the downtown. A taxi from the airport to the downtown costs 15 euro, Aerobus 6 euros, the same ticket is valid on public transport within an hour. There are also buses ##81 and 91 from the airport to the train station (1.5 euros).