Bologna is the historic capital of the Emilia-Romagna region in Northern Italy. Here are 5 reasons to visit!
1. It is the home of original bolognese sauce.
Do you need any more reason to visit? Spag bol, our much-loved, hearty spaghetti dish originates from Bologna (hence the name of the sauce). Bologna is great for all types of Italian food - some even consider it the food capital of Italy. But for an original, fresh spaghetti bolognese from the little city that invented the stuff, head to Bologna. We loved it!
2. Bologna is rich with history.
I love visiting somewhere that has a lot of interesting history behind it. Originally, in the 6th century BC, Bologna was known as Felsina - until tribes invaded and renamed it Bononia. A few hundred years later the Romans took over and Bologna, as we know it today, was born. It is worth visiting the Civico Mueso Archeologico to read and hear about the history.
3. The city is full of beautiful buildings.
Apart from bolognese, Bologna is also known for its architectural beauty. The city centre is full of incredible Renaissance and medieval buildings and just walking around will give you a glimpse of the beauty. There are lovely cobbled streets bursting with small traditional Italian restaurants and bars, and there is a beautiful fountain in the centre in which people throw coins in for good luck.
4. Forget Pisa - Bologna has two leaning towers.
And one of the leaning towers in Bologna actually holds the record for being 'the most leaning of all'. The Torre Garisenda leans at a staggering 4 degrees.
5. Bologna homes the oldest university in the world.
The University of Bologna was founded in 1088 - meaning it pre-dates Oxford by a decade! The university is right in the city centre. Graduates and teaching staff include famous scientists and poets Dante and Tasso.
What an amazing sounding place Bologna I love your reasons for visiting, I adore history so it sounds like it would be right up my street.
ReplyDeleteOh wow Bologna sounds amazing! It's one of those places I'd love to go to, your reasons make me want to go too!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds great! I'm still looking to expand my travel bucket list, so would love to go here!
ReplyDeleteI met a girl from Bologna in Slovenia and she's been wanting me to visit for a while now. I need to go visit soon
ReplyDeleteItaly is full of wonderful historic places,Bologna is a place I like to see first hand
ReplyDeleteWow, I had no idea that there is more leaning towers... would love to see them both
ReplyDeleteThis history would be a key part of visiting for me as I'm a history graduate. I didn't know it had 2 leaning towers! Wish I could travel more!
ReplyDeleteIt makes sense that this is where bolognaise first came from and definitely reason enough to visit x
ReplyDeleteI always thought that Oxford was the oldest university in the world but who knew that Bolgna predates Oxford by a decade! x
ReplyDeleteLeaning towers galore! I love it. Just the excuse I need to pop over for that obligatory holding-up-the-leaning-tower photo! ;) It looks beautiful!!
ReplyDeleteI have been to Bologna before but I didn't have much time to explore its wonderful streets. I have to go back sometimes. I didn't know the towers in Bologna were leaning, I did see them though.
ReplyDeleteBologna sounds great, I'd love to visit one day, I love this area of the world.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the info, never knew some of this especially the other leaning tower Torre Garisenda.
ReplyDeleteYou had me from reason number one! I don't think there's a place in Italy I haven't loved, so would really like to visit Bologna.
ReplyDeleteIt looks gorgeous in Bologna! Would be so cool to see the leaning towers :)
ReplyDeleteDid not know the place had 2 leaning towers - wow...well worth a visit...great guide :)x
ReplyDeleteI am sold! I would like to visit this place and see that 'most leaning' of all tower.
ReplyDeleteYou had me at reason one. I love my food and to try bolognese there would be lovely. I didn't realise they had 2 leaning towers!
ReplyDeleteI always thought Piza had the most leaning tower. You learn something new everyday
ReplyDeleteMy husbands mum's husband (ha that's a mouthful) is Italian and i love hearing all about the different cities. Bologna looks amazing!
ReplyDeleteYou have me at Italy! Anything in Italy I am happy to visit because I worked there many years ago. Although I never had an chance to visit Bologna, I am thrilled to know more about the region. I love historic buildings, finding out that Bologna also has leaning buildings is a pleasant surprise!
ReplyDeleteBologna sounds an amazing place to visit. I had no idea anywhere other than Pisa had a leaning tower. I would love to try the bolognaise there it must be so good!
ReplyDeleteI have only ever flown in to the airport and didn't get a chance to stop, but it looks like an incredible city, with so much history.
ReplyDeletewow what a destination , ive never even heard of it but sounds intriguing
ReplyDeleteI'd love to get to Bologna one day - I'm pretty much obsessed with everything Italian! x
ReplyDeleteAs someone who is half Italian, I'm embarrassed to say I've never been to Italy, let along Bologna.
ReplyDeleteAw this brought back memories my first field trip with school was to Bolgna with secondary school so scary yet exciting I remember it being a great place
ReplyDeleteI have a friend visiting Northern Italy write now! I'll have to tell her to check it out.
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