There are 3 words used as nickname of the city of Bologna. One is “education”. Europe’s oldest and world famous university was founded in Bologna in 1088. The second term is “obesity” . The food is good enough to become fat easily. Since here is hinterland, pork meat is its main ingredient. The third is “tower”. Bologna’s symbol is two Leaning Towers in the Piazza Maggiore. In the Middle Ages, there were about 100 towers but now remain only 20. However it is difficult to find them all due to the high surrounding buildings. 

 

Bologna city has its antique origin of the Etruscan city , Felsina. Later the more powerful tribe Celts had conquered this area in place of the Etruscans and then , in the second century BC Romans had constructed the city named Bononia. In the Middle Ages it flourished as an autonomous city and even today the vestiges of the old town remain everywhere. 

 

Bologna’s center is very striking with its medieval street plan, two historic towers , (Le Due Torri , the Torre Garisenda and the Torre Degli Aniselli , the second one with its 318ft , is the highest leaning tower in Italy) and warm colored buildings of red and orange.

Bologna is a bustling, animated city full of  students and wealthy Bolognese families. While the center is often crowded, you can veer into the elegant residential areas to get a peek into the daily lives of Bolognese families. Margherita Park and the surrounding neighborhood is a lovely area of town to seek solace and spend a peaceful Sunday.