About Bologna

History

The capital of the northern-central region of Emilia-Romagna, Bologna is a city of about 400,000 inhabitants and has a varied and interesting history that dates back centuries. First settled by the Etruscans during the 6th century B.C., it was subsequently occupied by the Romans, Lombards, and the Papacy, until Italian Unification in 1860. Each of these ruling entities has left a distinct mark on Bologna, as can be seen from the varied architecture, the wonderful cuisine and the dialect spoken by the city's inhabitants.

Under the Etruscans, this area was known as Felsina. After the Romans conquered it in 189 B.C., the town became known as Bononia, after the Gallic "Bona". With the opening of the Emilian Way, the city became a major crossroads for trade throughout the Roman empire. Bologna still performs this function today and is a hub of commercial activity. The numerous trade fairs held in Bologna's exhibition halls include subjects ranging from the latest fashion styles to modern cars, motorcycles and boats.

Bologna is host to a number of interesting museums, including the newly opened Museo Morandi , left to the city by one of its native sons. There are numerous concert halls, a Teatro Comunale which offers an excellent opera season and symphonic series, churches which feature chamber music concerts, and various academies which have performances throughout the year.

Throughout Italy, Bologna is known by four different nicknames, each of which highlights a different aspect of the city. Bologna la Grassa, literally "Bologna the Fat", refers to the famed Bolognese food, reputedly the best in all of Italy, as well as to the city's wealth and prosperity.

The city is also frequently called Bologna la Dotta, meaning "Bologna the Learned".  Founded in 1088, the Università di Bologna is the oldest university in Europe. It includes in the ranks of its alumni such names as Copernicus, Petrarch and Dante. Presently, the University is home to over 90,000 students pursuing degrees in subjects including literature, medicine, the physical sciences and jurisprudence. Eminently prestigious, it boasts a diverse and cosmopolitan student body, since the University attracts students from all regions of Italy and from countries around the world. As a thriving center of student life, Bologna has a flourishing intellectual climate and all the amenities one would expect in or near a university community: theater, cinema, performing arts, live music, and a reportedly die-hard club scene in the nearby beach resorts along the Adriatic coast.

Bologna also bear the nickname La Turrita, meaning "City of Towers". During the late Middle Ages when there was considerable internal fighting among its inhabitants, the city's skyline was pierced by over 180 towers constructed by its wealthiest and most influencial families as statements of power and means of defense. A stroll through picturesque Piazza Maggiore and down Via Rizzoli will lead you to two such spectacular towers. These Due Torri, built by the Asinelli and Garisenda families, are the most spectacular examples of the monuments which once filled Bologna and are commonly used as symbols of the city.

Finally there is Bologna la Rossa, or "Bologna the Red". This double-entendre describes not only the predominant color of the city's buildings, but also refers to its political history. Except during fascism, Bologna has been governed by the left from 1913 to 1999.

Others links: Museums, Articles about Bologna, Discover Bologna.

Last modified 15 Febraury 2001