Best Travel Guide Bologna | ArrivalGuides.com

BolognaGuide was updated: 2024-03-25

As the capital of the Emilia Romagna region, Bologna is an art city, a university centre and a place renowned for its excellent cuisine. It hosts important international trade fairs and is one of the world’s greatest motor cities. Ducati, Lamborghini and Maserati were all born in Bologna and Ferrari’s headquarters can be found in nearby Modena.

Do & See

The centre of Bologna is one of the best preserved in Europe, and it is full of beautiful palaces and churches packed with artworks that bear witness to the cultural importance of the city over the centuries. Its historical city centre is also considered one of the largest in Europe.

Two Towers (Torre Degli Asinelli & Torre Della Garisenda)

Le due Torri (The Two Towers), Garisenda e degli Asinelli, are iconic symbols of Bologna's skyline, dating back to the 12th century. Towering over the city, they stand as testament to Bologna's medieval heritage and architectural splendour. While the Garisenda Tower is known for its distinctive lean, the Asinelli Tower offers breathtaking panoramic views from its summit.

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Bologna’s Town Hall

The Palazzo Comunale (or Palazzo d'Accursio) is Bologna’s town hall. The upper level of the palace is the home of the civic museum Collezioni Comunali d'Arte (Municipal Art Collections) where a large collection of Renaissance paintings and other pieces of art can be enjoyed.

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National Gallery

The National Gallery (Pinacoteca Nazionale) is the most important art gallery in Bologna and boasts one of the richest collections in Northern Italy. Art from major Italian artists, including local artists are housed here. Here you will find works of art, dating back from the 14th and 15th centuries to the Renaissance period and art from the 16th century.

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Basilica of San Petronio

Standing on Bologna’s main square, (Piazza Maggiore), the Basilica of San Petronio is one of the largest medieval churches in Italy and an important symbol of the city. The inside is full of Gothic archways, stained glass windows and doors from the 15th and 16th centuries.

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Basilica of Santo Stefano

This extraordinary religious site consists of four medieval churches, originally there were seven churches, and therefore it is known by the name of Sette Chiese (Seven Churches). Besides churches, this peaceful complex contains cloisters, tombs and courtyards, a great place to browse religious art and artefacts as well. The most interesting is the church of the Sepolcro, which preserves a representation of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem.

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University of Bologna

The University of Bologna, founded in 1088, stands as the oldest university in the Western world, boasting a rich history of academic excellence and innovation. Some of the famous people who have been teaching here include Nicolaus Copernicus and Francesco Petrarca. Renowned for its distinguished faculty, diverse student body, and commitment to research and teaching across a wide range of disciplines, the University of Bologna continues to be a global leader in higher education.

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