Destinations - Mediterranean - Bologna

Bologna, city (1991 pop. 404,378), capital of Emilia-Romagna and of Bologna prov., N central Italy, at the foot of the Apennines and on the Aemilian Way. It is a prosperous commercial and industrial center and an important transportation link between S and N Italy. Manufactures include farm machinery, motor vehicles, metal goods, railway equipment, processed food, and chemicals, and the city has long been a center of printing. Bologna is also the chief city of what has been called Italy's “Red Belt” (because Communists controlled the local government for decades after World War II).
The town is famous for its arcades and balconies lining the streets, brick stone palaces, a great number of churches, crooked towers and for the remains the 8 km city wall. The Piazza Maggiore is the heart of the town. On its south side, it is dominated by the famous basilica San Petronio, the largest and most important church of the city which is dedicated to the protective powers of the patron of the city. Your tour will start at this central location. You will visit the basilica which is regarded as one of the most impressive Gothic creations in Italy. Afterwards, you will walk through the pretty old town lanes passing by the Palazzo della Mercancia (1384), the Porta Ravegnana as well as the crooked brick towers Torre degli Asinelli (97 m) and Garisenda (48 m). Your next destination will be the impressive group of churches of Santo Stefano which includes 7 important churches dating back to the early Middle Ages (interior visits). You will also visit the palace of Archiginnasio (interior tour), the first permanent seat of the university of Bologna which was founded in 1088 as the first university in Europe. The actual building was constructed in 1565. One of its most important sights is the anatomical auditorium, the first instructional site for anatomy in an European university. The walk will end again at the Piazza Maggiore.

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