Bologna Walking Tour Emilia Romagna Italy
Bologna is the lively, historic capital of the Emilia-Romagna region, in northern Italy. I discovered it by walking with my best friend in this lovely medieval town.
An important part of the medieval history of Bologna is the Alma Mater Studiourum - University, which was founded in 1088, the first university in Europe.
Bologna is a city of every shade of rose with its many rose coloured buildings. The typical food speciliates are: tagliatelle with ragu, tortellini in broth, green lasagna, mortadella, squacquerone, lasagne bolognese, tigelle, gramigna with sausage, passatelli, bologna schnitzel or cotoletta petroniana, friggione and Modena balsamic vinegar.
The Romagna piadina,
The Romagna piadina, is traditionally piada, a food product composed of a thin focaccia wheat flour, lard or olive oil, bicarbonate or yeast, salt and water, which is traditionally cooked on a round terracotta plate.
My friend Davide from Ferrara made one for me, it was delicious!
A memorial marble star dedicated to Lucio Dalla, one of the most famous Italian musicians born in Bologna.
Our Walking Tour start & finish in Via del Baraccano where is The Teatro del Barraccano 2. It situed at the southern edge of the formerly walled central of Bologna.
Piazza Santo Stefano, also known as Piazza delle Sette Chiese, is a lovely square a triangular shape in the pedestrian zone. It is a monumental complex that dominates the square, but what makes it special is the Basilica Santo Stefano. In the nice square the are with a few café/restaurants.
The Palazzo della Mercanzia, also called Loggia dei Mercanti or Palazzo del Carrobbio, is the headquarters of the Chamber of Commerce, and was built from the end of the 14th century by Antonio di Vincenzo and Lorenzo di Bagnomarino. The beautiful mercantile palace was built in Gothic style. It is located in the homonymous square, right next to the famous towers of the Asinelli.
The Madonna del Baraccano Sanctuary is a Renaissance style, Roman Catholic church, located at Piazza del Baraccano 2
Walking towards Piazza Santo Stefano, the most beautiful square toThe Palazzo Isolani is located on Via Santo Stefano. The Palace is a historic palace of the 16th century which was renovated between 1451-55 in the Tuscan penny of Lapo Portigiani, a style that denounces the transition between the Gothic and Tuscan Renaissance.
The Corte Isolani has been restored and is located inside two palaces of the twentieth century. The interior consists of elegant shops and restaurants.
Piazza Maggiore is located right in the centre of the city and serves as an important historical place.
Walking along Via Massimo d'Azeglio is a street of the historic centre of Bologna, which connects Piazza Maggiore to Porta San Mamolo. It is a long street where one senses time has stopped since the Middle Ages there are elegant shops and cafes.
On this street there is a musical room dedicated to Lucio Dalla, with a marble star memorial dedicated to Lucio Dalla, a singer-songwriter, musician and Italian actor. The Dalla house is open only in some periods of the year.
The Towers of Bologna are a group of medieval structures commonly recognised as symbols of Bologna and are located in the heart of the city.
The Sala Borsa Library is located at Piazza Nettuno.
Alma Mater Studiorum is founded in 1088 and is said to be the oldest university in the western world, with and rich of history.
The Fountain of Neptune is a monumental civic fountain situated next to Piazza Maggiore. It is One of Bologna's most famous squares, constructed by the Belgian artist Jean de Boulogne.
The Palazzo del Podestà is a civic building in Piazza Maggiore
The Palazzo Grassi is Gothic-style, 13th-century palace located on Via Marsala. The palace once belonged to the Canonici family, but was acquired by the Grassi family in 1466, and remained with their descendants until 1848.
The Basilica of San Petronio is the main church of Bologna. It is one of the last gothic religious buildings of medieval Italy.
The Porticoes along streets are arches of different ages, are tall and spacious. Inside there are large ports of private dwelling, shops and much more.
The walls and doors of Bologna offer a piece of history
Walking along The Basilica of Santa Maria dei Servi stands along a major road and is a splendid example of Gothic architecture. It is also an important musical chapel that performs in the main liturgical occurrences, particularly for the Christmas holidays.
Portici of servants is located on the corner between the Maggiore and Via Guerrazzi
La Piazzetta dei Servi di Maria - on the corner between the Maggiore and Via Guerazzi
At the end of our walk I, my friend Roby and my dog stopped by chance in this bar, attracted by its showcase display; balls of wool or cotton, coffe and local bar. The name of the place was "Il Caffe dei Gomittoli". A knitting place where they give lessons how to knit and crochet. We enjoyed a good Cappuccino with some good croissants. The dog had a bowl of water with a doggy biscuit! What a nice tour I had and a great company - thanks Roby!
