Discover Bologna: Porticoes, Music and Bolognese Cuisine

Bologna among Porticoes, Music and a Medieval Old Town

Bologna has a medieval old town that is considered one of the largest and best-preserved in Europe. The city holds the UNESCO title “Creative City of Music”.

Porticoes as a Defining Urban Experience

The UNESCO Porticoes of Bologna comprise a selection of 12 porticoes within the city’s total 62-kilometre network of portico walkways, the largest portico system in the world. The construction and maintenance tradition of Bolognese porticoes extends from the 12th to the 21st century. The covered spaces of the portico complex remain privately owned, but are used by the public.

The Pavaglione, Banchi and Piazza Maggiore component includes one of the most important and best-preserved medieval public spaces in Europe. The Pavaglione is also the longest uninterrupted portico in Bologna.

Architecture and the History of Science

The Palazzo dell’Archiginnasio was built in 1562 and 1563 at the instigation of the papal legate to Bologna, Cardinal Carlo Borromeo, and the vice-legate Pier Donato Cesi. It was based on a design by the Bolognese architect Antonio Morandi (Terribilia). The building was intended to provide a unified location for university teaching, which had previously been distributed across various sites.

The Teatro Anatomico in the Archiginnasio was designed in 1637 for anatomy lessons by the Bolognese architect Antonio Paolucci (il Levanti), a student of the Carracci. The room is made of fir wood and decorated with two rows of statues: twelve famous physicians below and twenty of the best-known anatomists of the Bolognese Studio above.

Music, Water and Routes through Bologna

The Basilica di San Petronio is open to citizens, tourists and visitors of all kinds. It houses an organ built by Lorenzo da Prato around 1470, which is considered the oldest organ still in use in the world. The Finestrella di Via Piella overlooks the Canale delle Moline and one of the few sections of open water still remaining in the city. The Sala della Musica is Italy’s first permanent exhibition on the history of a city’s popular music.

The Santuario di San Luca is connected by a portico to a four-kilometre-long road starting at Porta Saragozza. The portico has more than 600 arches and is considered the longest in the world. Bologna offers several trekking routes throughout the year, allowing visitors to discover art, architecture and nature within the city area.

Old Town, Cuisine and Travel Planning

The Quadrilatero is located in the heart of Bologna’s historic old town. The area is characterised by a craft, trading and commercial tradition dating back to the Middle Ages. Fresh egg pasta is one of Bologna’s best-known products; its long-standing tradition is based on recipes passed down through generations. A traditional cooking course is also offered in Bologna city centre.

Bologna is Italy’s most important railway hub and is particularly well connected by high-speed rail.

Further places for orientation: San Lazzaro Di Savena, Bologna, Castel Del Rio, Castel San Pietro Terme, Ripoli, Sasso Marconi, San Giovanni In Persiceto, Porretta Terme, Pianoro, Mordano, Monzuno, Monteveglio, Monte San Pietro, Dozza, Crespellano, Castenaso, Castel Maggiore, Bentivoglio, Valsamoggia, Monghidoro, Loiano, Castel Guelfo Di Bologna, Medicina, Minerbio, Casalecchio Di Reno, Funo, Zappolino, Santa Viola, Anzola Dell'emilia, Ozzano Dell Emilia, Tolè, Budrio, San Vincenzo, Molinella, Villanova, Portonovo, Madonna dei Fornelli, I Casoni, Fontanelice, Marzabotto, Imola, Scuola, San Benedetto Val Di Sambro, Savigno, Calcara, Monterenzio, Argelato, Altedo, Fiumetto, Granarolo Dell'emilia, Castello Di Serravalle, Cà Bianca, Casette di Funo, Baragazza, Molino del Pallone, Pioppe, Noce, Suviana, San Pietro In Casale, Rioveggio, Ponte della Venturina, Malalbergo, Baricella, Pieve Di Cento, Calderara Di Reno, Pizzano, Castel Di Casio, Borgonuovo, Crevalcore, Camugnano, San Giorgio Di Piano, Linaro, Fontana, Ponticelli, Sala Bolognese, Vidiciatico, Lizzano In Belvedere, Roncobilaccio, Sassoleone, Gaggio Montano, Varignana-Palesio, Ponte Samoggia, Rastignano-Carteria Di Sesto, Sacerno, Grizzana Morandi, Casalfiumanese, Castel D'aiano, San Martino in Pedriolo, Pian del Voglio, Granaglione, Castiglione Dei Pepoli, Sant'Agata Bolognese, San Marino, Farneto, Tossignano, Borgo Tossignano, Brento, Vergato, Castello D'argile, Quarto Inferiore.

For the overarching travel overview: Emilia-Romagna.