Your complete guide to Bologna - from climbing medieval towers to tasting authentic tortellini. Discover why this Italian university city deserves your bucket list.
Bologna (Italian: Bologna, Latin: Bononia) is a city of students, scholars, and chefs, a city of towers and arcaded buildings, and one of Italy’s main intellectual centers. It will undoubtedly enchant you with its extraordinary atmosphere, where creativity and science, youth and age, emotions and sober calculation are all intertwined.
Bologna is located in the Emilia-Romagna region of northern Italy, not far from Florence and Rimini. Thanks to its favorable location and developed industry, it is one of the wealthiest cities in the country with a high standard of living. Bologna embodies the charm of an old Italian city: fortress walls, narrow winding streets, ancient buildings, porticoes and arcades, and numerous historical and cultural landmarks—stunning churches, luxurious palaces, and tall towers. The architecture of the historic center dates back to the 13th–14th centuries.
Panorama of Bologna
The city’s main squares—Piazza Nettuno (Neptune Square) and Piazza Maggiore (Main Square)—are home to fascinating historical landmarks. Other interesting historical structures include the tall towers, which were once a symbol of pride for the city’s wealthy families. There were once over a hundred of them, but far fewer remain today, though they still stand out in the city’s architecture.
Bologna is also home to the oldest university in Europe, founded in the 11th century. Today, the University of Bologna has around 90,000 students (nearly a third of the city’s population).
Practical Information
Population: over 380,000.
Area: 140 km².
Language: Italian.
Currency: Euro.
Visa: Schengen.
Time zone: Central European Time (UTC +1, summer +2).
History & Interesting Facts
Scholars believe Bologna was founded by the Etruscans around 510 BC under the name Felsina, built around an ancient sanctuary. In the 4th century BC, the Celts captured the city and renamed it Bononia.
By the 2nd century, Bologna became a Roman colony. During the peak of the Roman Empire, the city transformed into one of the largest and wealthiest, adorned with beautiful buildings and monuments, though few have survived to this day.
Bologna’s Old Town
After the fall of the Roman Empire in the early Middle Ages, Bologna came under the rule of the Greek Exarchate of Ravenna and later Lombard King Liutprand. It wasn’t until Emperor Charlemagne granted it the status of a free city that it gained autonomy—a legacy still reflected in its coat of arms with the word “libertas” (freedom).
In the 11th century, the University of Bologna—one of the oldest in Europe—was founded, and in the 13th century, serfdom was abolished.
Panorama of the Old Town
In the second half of the 12th century, Bologna joined the Lombard League, opposing Frederick Barbarossa. Despite its democratic aspirations, the city always staunchly supported papal authority.
In 1512, Bologna was reincorporated into the Papal States.
Bologna
By the 17th century, Bologna had become an intellectual hub of Europe, attracting renowned scholars and alumni who made significant discoveries (Copernicus, for instance, studied here). In modern times, the city became part of the Cisalpine Republic.
In 1860, Bologna, along with the rest of Romagna, joined the Kingdom of Italy.
How to Get There
Bologna is located 220 km from Milan, 370 km from Rome, 100 km from Florence, and 120 km from Rimini. The city has an international airport, Guglielmo Marconi.
Hotels & Hostels in Bologna
Food & Drinks
Bologna is Italy’s culinary capital, the birthplace of Bolognese sauce, tortellini, salami, and mortadella. Be sure to try traditional dishes like Tagliatella Bolognese, Tortellini, Spuma di Mortadella, Lasagne Verdi alla Bolognese, Raviole Bolognesi, and Friggione.
Landmarks & Attractions
Basilica of San Petronio
The Basilica of San Petronio is one of the most important and largest churches in Bologna—132 meters long, 66 meters wide, and 47 meters high. Located in the historic center on Piazza Maggiore, construction began in 1390. The structure was later modified into a Latin cross shape, and the nave and apse roof were completed only in 1663 by Girolamo Rainaldi. The church also houses a functioning organ built in the late 15th century.
Opening hours: Daily from 8:00 AM to 6:30 PM (until 6:00 PM in winter).
Admission: Free. Group tours: €8.
Basilica of San Domenico
Basilica of San Domenico—a beautiful ancient church built in the early 13th century by Spanish Dominican founder Dominic Guzmán. His remains are kept here in a marble tomb. The interior features frescoes by Guercino, Lippi, and Carracci.
Address: Piazza San Domenico, 13, 40124 Bologna
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 9:00 AM–12:00 PM & 3:30–6:00 PM, Sat 9:00 AM–12:00 PM & 3:30–5:00 PM, Sun 3:30–5:00 PM.
Admission: Free
Arengo Tower (Torre dell’Arengo)—a tower in Bologna’s historic center, near Neptune Square, notable for its history and structure. Built in the early 13th century, it forms a single ensemble with Palazzo Podestà. In the mid-15th century, a bell tower with a 47-ton bronze bell was added.
Address: Piazza del Nettuno, 40124 Bologna
Prendiparte Tower—a 12th-century brick tower built by a wealthy Guelph family. Standing 60 meters tall, it is one of the city’s oldest towers. In the mid-18th century, it was converted into a prison.
University of Bologna
University of Bologna—Europe’s oldest university, founded in 1088. Alumni include Dante Alighieri, Francesco Petrarca, and Nicolaus Copernicus. Researchers like Galvani and Alessandro Volta worked here. Today, it has 90,000 students.
Porta Saragozza—a 17th-century gate in Bologna, also known as the Pilgrims’ Gate, as it was used by pilgrims traveling to the Sanctuary of San Luca.
Address: Piazza di Porta Saragozza, 40123 Bologna
Canale delle Moline
Canale delle Moline—Bologna’s “Little Venice,” a charming small canal between historic buildings, an extension of the Reno Canal.
Address: Via Capo di Lucca, 40126 Bologna
Cathedral of San Pietro
Cathedral of San Pietro—Bologna’s cathedral, built in the late 16th century by Pope Gregory XIII, though earlier churches stood here since the 10th century. The interior features works by Prospero Fontana, Carracci, Franceschini, and Donato. The 70-meter bell tower, begun in the 11th century and completed in the early 15th century, houses a 33-ton bell (total bell weight: 65 tons).
Address: Via Indipendenza, 64, 40126 Bologna
Opening hours: Daily 8:00 AM–6:45 PM (access may be restricted during services).
The Two Towers: Asinelli and Garisenda
The Two Towers (Asinelli & Garisenda)—iconic symbols of Bologna, built of simple brick.
The Asinelli Tower (early 12th century) stands 97.2 meters tall with a 2.2-meter tilt. Climbing its 498 steps leads to a panoramic viewpoint.
The Garisenda Tower (14th century) is 47 meters tall with a 3-meter tilt.
Piazza Maggiore—the main square in Bologna’s historic center, established in the early 13th century. Key landmarks include the Basilica of San Petronio, Palazzo d’Accursio, and Palazzo Podestà.
Piazza Nettuno
Piazza Nettuno—a square in Bologna’s historic center, created in the mid-16th century to expand space between Palazzo Comunale and Palazzo Podestà. It features the Neptune Fountain, designed by Laureti between 1563 and 1566.
Address: Piazza del Nettuno, 40124 Bologna
Sanctuary of Madonna di San Luca—a religious site dedicated to the Virgin Mary, one of Bologna’s symbols. Built by Dotti in the mid-18th century, the 4 km path from the city is lined with over 600 arched porticoes.
Address: Via di San Luca, 36, 40135 Bologna
Opening hours: 6:30 AM–5:00 PM.
Admission: Free
Galluzzi Tower—a 30-meter medieval tower on Piazza Galvani, once owned by an influential Guelph family.
