Bologna, Italy
Bologna, the capital of Emilia-Romagna, is famous for its university, its cuisine, and beautifully preserved historic center. Ripe with medieval architecture, more than 200 spires adorn the city's skyline. Like the rest of the Emilia-Romagna region, Bologna is a popular spot for foodies who can enjoy some of the best pasta dishes on the planet. The main area of Bologna revolves around two squares, Piazza Maggiore and Piazza del Nettuno. The streets around the squares are lined with Gothic buildings, museums, restaurants, and bars, all spilling over with activity. Immerse yourself in Bologna's heritage, or take a seat in a sidewalk café as you watch a day in Emilia-Romagna go on its way.Bologna is a museum lover's dream. The Municipal Museum of Archaeology has impressive collections of Egyptian and Roman artifacts and one of Italy's best Etruscan displays, highlighted by two burial chambers unearthed near the city. Another notable display is the collection of documents concerning the Etruscan civilization in the Bolognese area from the 9th to the 4th century BC. For a bit of contrasting style, visit the Municipal Gallery of Modern Art. The museum has a collection of over 3,000 works which appear on a rotation basis. Notable in the collections are the works by 20th century Bolognese artists, as well as Italian art post WWII.
Pisa's tower may be more famous, but Bologna has its share of precariously perched edifices. Probably the most famous of these are the Two Towers, one of which has a noticeable lean extending over Via Rizzoli. During the 12th and 13th centuries, noble families in Bologna raised towers in an effort to best one another in competitive display. Only 20 of the original towers survive today, but the Asinelli and the Garisenda towers stand as Bologna's postcard to the world and its most recognizable landmarks. Visitors should not miss the view from atop the Asinelli tower, the tallest of the towers, which looks out over Bologna from a height of 318 feet.
The Basilica di San Petionio, named after the city's patron saint, is Bologna's largest house of worship. The church was intended to be larger than St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, but was truncated by the papacy, which decreed the structure could not rival that of St. Peter's. It is a wonderful example of Gothic architecture. The church is the main focal point for Piazza Maggiore. The central doorway is adorned by Jacopo della Quercia's Madonna and Child and other carvings depicting scenes from both the old and new testament. Local tradition holds that any time the rays of the sun shine in the church in the shape of a heart, those that witness them should think about seeking someone to marry.
You can sample all the wonders of Italy during a Bologna vacation. Seek out a bistro to try the tortellini, the classic dish of rolled pasta with rich fillings, which has become a symbol of Bologna's cuisine. Tour Bologna University, one of the oldest in Europe, where Copernicus and Petrarch studied. Try a local vintage while gazing at the spectacular Neptune Fountain, also called "the Giant." Shop for leather at one of the trendy boutiques on Via Archiginnasio. Take a day trip along the Via Emilia, an ancient road created by the Romans, to the small village of Parma for the town's famous ham and cheese selections. Tourists often flock to other regions of Italy, so a vacation in Bologna is an unfettered exploration of all that is beautiful in this country.
