Looking for a foodie weekend? Then Bologna is the right place for you. Vibrant and charming city offers quite of cultural and historical sights that can be easily combined with great food experiences. Bologna is called “la dotta”, “the erudite” because is home to the oldest European university (dating back in 1088), its is called also “la grassa” – the fat for its numerous restaurants, food shops and enormous culinary tradition and “la rossa” –the red one because of the colours if its buildings.
But lest we go step by step. We spent 3 days in the city, if you have only one day, you can easily see the main sights in on day, but if you have more time is nice to combine your stay with surrounding areas and visit any of the nearby towns, like Dozza (more info about Dozza you will find in my post). We were staying in a hotel nearby the train station, and we had only 15-20 minutes easy walk to the right heart of Bologna.
Walking is a great way to discover the city, and you can do it also on a rainy day without an umbrella 😊 since the city has 38 kilometres of porticoes. It is rally unimaginable how the porticoes are spread all over the city. These arcades were built in the Middle Ages. I read that were built in as a projection of private buildings on public land, in order to increase living spaces but at the same time they protected the inhabitants form the extremes of the weather.
At the time of our visit it was a long weekend with holidays and there were many tourists and locals all around the city, especially, we all concerted in the quarter of Quadrilatero. This is really a paradise for foodies. Here you can find and taste the best food from Emilia – Romagna region.
The parts of the city that I loved the most were the Two-tower, the main square Piazza Grande, and the food quarter of Quadrilatero.
In the past Bologna has had an impressive number of towers. I found different info saying from 100 to 180 towers, so I’m not sure which number is correct, but considering that we are talking about the Middle Ages the number is verry impressive. Rich families that lived in Bologna constructed the towers as a symbol of wealth and status, but they used them also for defensive purposes to guard their land. Today there are 22 towers still preserved, and the Garisenda and degli Asinelli are the most famous. The Asinelli can be visited, and apparently it offers a great view of Bologna. My son insisted that we book the tickets, so I’ve collected a few info about the tower and the option to visit it. When I read that there were 498 stairs, my wife immediately said” no way”. Well, I was still attracted by the view that can be seen from the 97 meters high tower, but when I saw an image of the stairs I changed my mind too and we were just admiring the towers from a “frog perspective”.
For us it was a real feast and that is also a reason why it is better to have a few days in Bologna, since you cannot taste all that food only in one day 😊👨🍳🍽️.
Quadrilatero is Italy’s oldest market. It is located right in the centre and actually it spreads over several streets and contains several indoor markets. Some parts of the quarter, especially the narrow lanes, look as if they were in Da Vinci's time.
We’ve tried excellent mortadella, which was served with soft cheese and pistachios. Mortadella is one of our preferred snacks and there was no doubt that we have to try it in Bologna, the place where it originates.
For a sweet break we had a delicious ice-cream, gelato. You can find many gelatos vendors all around the city and you can even visit the Gelato museum that is located outside the city.
We couldn't visit Bologna without having a plate of pasta with Bolognese sauce. We often make the Bolognese sauce at home, and I think we make a really good one, but the pasta that we tried in Bologna was really exceptional. Maybe was for the nice bottle of nice Lambrusco (red sparkling wine).
One of the evenings we were attracted by a trattoria (restaurant) that was offering cold cuts (they were mainly from Tuscany and not from Bologna) but the dishes were looking so yummy that we couldn’t resist (and the food was tasting great as well).
Luckily, as I said, Bologna is a perfect town walk around, so we were able to be active the whole day, otherwise I’m afraid that we wouldn’t brought home only souvenirs but an extra weight on the belly as well 😊.
A very funny photo-stop at a small window, called Finestrella, that offers a view on one of the Bologna canals. This is one of the few views where you can still view the old canals that were once a part of the city, but were covered with asphalt in the 20 century. I read that this is one of the most popular sights in the city, since it became one of the “Instagram locations” and in fact when I reached the location there was a long queue and you need to get inline to get the perfect photo.
We also meda a stop at the Basilica of Santo Stefano, also known as the Church of the Seven Churches, is one of the most unique and fascinating churches in Bologna, Italy. The complex consists of several interconnected churches, chapels, cloisters, and courtyards, each with its own history and architectural style.
Visitors can explore the complex and its many chapels, admire the intricate frescoes and artwork, and learn about the fascinating history of this unique architectural gem.
Beside the Quadrilatero we spent our evenings in the main square, Piazza Magiorre. Very open and large square, surrounded by historic building, the Neptune fountain, few cafes and the majestic cathedral of San Petronio.
What fascinated me most about the cathedral was the Meridian Line, which is one of the most fascinating and unique features of the church. The line, also known as the Cassini Meridian, is a large brass strip that runs along the floor of the church, marking the path of the sun at noon throughout the year. The line was created by Italian astronomer Giovanni Domenico Cassini in the 17th century, who used the church as an observatory to study the movement of the sun and stars. The line is almost 67 metres long and is marked with signs indicating the zodiac signs and other astronomical information.
One more hint, if you're planning to explore Bologna, you can check out my previous posts below to find out where to go on a nearby trip, as the city is a great starting point:
- Dozza - the colourful open-air gallery under the sky
- Ferrara, the city of the Renaissance
- Lamborghini Museum - The story of the insult that created the future
- Chioggia – Venice's Little Sister
If you're a foodie looking for an authentic taste of Italy, Bologna is a must-visit destination. The city boasts a rich culinary heritage, from its famous Bolognese sauce to its delectable cured meats and cheeses. But Bologna is not just about food. It has something to offer for every traveler. Whether you're looking for a romantic getaway, a family vacation, or a solo adventure. So if you're looking for an immersive Italian experience, pack your bags and head to Bologna, where you can immerse yourself in the heart of Italy and create memories that will last a lifetime.
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