The historic city of Bologna is located in northern Italy. In the early Middle Ages, the city was full of high towers and arcades. During its most flourishing period in the Middle Ages, the city had nearly two hundred towers, some of which were over eighty meters high. The towers were mainly used as a status symbol and also to protect the city as a watchtower. In the end there are only about twenty towers left. The papal authorities and other rulers have also left quite a blueprint. The wealth was especially shown in the construction of all kinds of palaces, sculptures, fountains, cemeteries and of course the Basilica of St. Petronius. The historic center has now been valued by UNESCO. The city of Bologna is also highly recommended in terms of museums. Art and culture come together beautifully in an extremely suitable setting. Because the city of Bologna is above all very beautiful. You can also see Bologna as the culinary capital of Italy. Various delicious dishes and products come from here, such as of course the meat sauce (ragu) served with pasta.
Bologna ‘s Top 10 Things to Do
#1. The towers Garisenda and Asinelli
Of the once almost one hundred and eighty medieval towers in Bologna, only a few are left. The towers of Garisenda and Asinelli are the largest remaining towers and today the symbol of the Italian city of Bologna. When you consider that the towers were made in a time when there were no machines, they become even more interesting. Torre degli Asinelli and Torre dei Garisenda were built sometime in the twelfth century at the behest of the influential and wealthy Asinelli and Garisenda families. At the time, these two strategically placed towers had a military function as watchtowers, but they were above all a status symbol for the families. These towers are located on the road that provides access to five gates in the old city wall. Better known today as Piazza di Porta Ravegnana. Enthusiasts can climb the Asinelli tower. To do this, you have to climb about five hundred steps, which then offer you an amazing view over the city of Bologna.
#2. Piazza Maggiore
According to Bridgat, Bologna’s centrally located Piazza Maggiore square is considered by many to be the most beautiful square in the city. The oldest building, Palazzo del Podestà, is on the north side of Piazza Maggiore. It was built around twelve hundred and served as residence and workspace for the city council. In the fifteenth century, the facade was adapted in the Renaissance style. The order for this came from the reigning and feared Italian nobleman Giovanni Il Bentivoglio. Today in the former palace Palazzo del Podestà you can go to the tourist office to collect information about the city. Other beautiful buildings in Piazza Maggiore are Palazzo dei Banchi, Palazzo dei Notai and Palazzo d’Accursio. These impressive palaces were built between the fourteenth and sixteenth centuries. The Roman Catholic St. Petronius Basilica was built in two phases. The original design is supposed to surpass St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City. The reigning Pope Pius IV put a stop to this. A decision that is still clearly reflected in the current design.
#3. Quadrilatero
When it comes to good food and drink in Bologna, the Quadrilatero district is the heart of all that Bologna has to offer in the culinary field. Here you will find the old market where you can find the best fresh fish, vegetables, meat and other ingredients. The market consists of individual shop premises from which the merchants offer their wares. These are mainly located in the car-free streets Via Pescherie Vecchie and Vicolo Ranocchi. For the gourmands among us, there are the so-called osterias where you can enjoy the finest meats, cheeses and other delicacies while sitting or standing.
#4. Museo Civico Archeologico
In the historical museum ‘Museo Civico Archeologico’ you can learn everything about the history of the city of Bologna and its inhabitants. Excavations in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries have yielded all kinds of finds that tell us more about, for example, prehistory, the Bronze Age, the Roman period and the Middle Ages. All this splendor is exhibited in the Palazzo Galvani. The museum has divided the collection over different periods and there is also a library and historical archive.
#5. St. Petronius Basilica
As the main church, the Basilica of Saint Petronius has enjoyed a great deal of influence and prestige. The foundation stone was laid at the end of the fourteenth century and construction began on the design that came from Antonio di Vincenzo. A few years later, the drawings showing the design are miraculously destroyed and not much remains but the designed dimensions. Subsequently, Pope John XXIII managed to halt construction because he was a staunch opponent of the basilica. After this anti-pope was deposed, the city of Bologna continued construction and enlisted the help of sculptors such as Jacopo della Quercia, Michelangelo and a series of architects. Meanwhile the plans had become so big, that St. Petronius Basilica was in danger of becoming larger than St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City. Pope Pius IV therefore decided to shift attention to building a palatial building less than thirteen meters from the basilica. The ‘Archiginnasio of Bologna’ building was entirely financed by the Pope. The unfinished facades is a clear confirmation of this decision. The Basilica of Saint Petronius houses the first sundial built by Egnazio Danti, an ancient pipe organ from the fifteenth century and historical archives with very valuable documents, regulations and statutes. Pope Pius IV therefore decided to shift attention to building a palatial building less than thirteen meters from the basilica. The ‘Archiginnasio of Bologna’ building was entirely financed by the Pope. The unfinished facades is a clear confirmation of this decision. The Basilica of Saint Petronius houses the first sundial built by Egnazio Danti, an ancient pipe organ from the fifteenth century and historical archives with very valuable documents, regulations and statutes. Pope Pius IV therefore decided to shift attention to building a palatial building less than thirteen meters from the basilica. The ‘Archiginnasio of Bologna’ building was entirely financed by the Pope. The unfinished facades is a clear confirmation of this decision. The Basilica of Saint Petronius houses the first sundial built by Egnazio Danti, an ancient pipe organ from the fifteenth century and historical archives with very valuable documents, regulations and statutes. The unfinished facades is a clear confirmation of this decision. The Basilica of Saint Petronius houses the first sundial built by Egnazio Danti, an ancient pipe organ from the fifteenth century and historical archives with very valuable documents, regulations and statutes. The unfinished facades is a clear confirmation of this decision. The Basilica of Saint Petronius houses the first sundial built by Egnazio Danti, an ancient pipe organ from the fifteenth century and historical archives with very valuable documents, regulations and statutes.
#6. Piazza del Nettuno
The beautiful Fountain of Neptune clearly indicates that we are in Piazza del Nettuno. This square, which borders the centrally located Piazza Maggiore, is known for the Palazzo Re Enzo, Palazzo Comunale and of course the Fontana del Nettuno. Around 1564, a major reorganization of Bologna’s urban development began. To begin with, the Piazzo del Nettuno was created here. The Flemish sculptor Jean Boulogne, also known as Giambologna, was the right person to realize the fountain of Neptune.
#7. Museo Civico Medievale
The medieval museum of Bologna has all kinds of objects and other relics on display, which give you a good idea of medieval life in Bologna. Museo Civico Medievale is housed in Palazzo Fava Ghisilardi, a fifteenth-century palace. In the museum you can admire, among other things, the large statue of Bonefatius VIII, old weapons and works of art by Jacopo della Quercia and Vincenzo Onofri. In addition, various events and temporary exhibitions are regularly organized. Other historical museums in Bologna are also part of the Musei Civici D’Arte Antica, such as the Museo Civico Medievale.
#8. Montagnola Park
The spacious and now public Montagnola Park was part of a palace that was donated to the Pope by Bishop Bertrand du Pouget. Il Parco della Montagnola is now located on the ruins of this former palace ‘Porta Galliera’. Later, Napoleon commissioned the park to give it a more French look. The monumental entrance on Via dell’Independenza and the beautiful nineteenth century steps on the side of the station are the creation of Tito Azzolini and Attilio Muggia. The Montagnola Park is now a park where both residents and guests of Bologna like to spend time. Visitors can almost always be found around the fountain with the turtles and at the playground.
#9. Museo Morandi
On Via Don Giovanni Minzoni is the Giorgio Morandi Museum. The full-throated MAMbo Museo D’Arte Moderna di Bologna offers a glimpse into the artistic development of artist Giorgio Morandi through its collection. Between the works are several signature themes that have made him famous. His predilection for still lifes are certainly discussed. Morandi was also inspired by our own Rembrandt.
#10. Pinacoteca Nazionale di Bologna
The impressive collection of art of the Pinacoteca Nazionale di Bologna gives an excellent impression of the qualities of artists from previous centuries. The paintings from which the collection originated, mostly come from churches and monasteries. Other works of art were added later. Today you can enjoy a variety of works from the thirteenth to the eighteenth century. You will regularly come across well-known names such as Rafaello, Michelangelo, Rembrandt, Ludovico, Rubens, Fragonard and Guido Reni.
