If the idea of climbing 498 narrow, wooden steps to the top of a 97.2m tall medieval tower (leaning a noticeable 1.3° off-centre) for the best views in Bologna sounds daunting, let us tell you - it is!īut the views from the summit of the Asinelli Tower are unequivocally worth it, and watching the sunset high above the red city was one of our favourite things to do in Bologna (read our guide to the Asinelli Towers here). #2 CLIMB TO THE TOP OF BOLOGNA, THE ASINELLI TOWER Tours | This walking tour of Bologna is perfect to see the city’s most interesting porticoes, their history and traditions with a local guide. The original wooden porticoes of Via Marsala The porticoes of Piazza Maggiore and the seat of the old University University students even use them as advertising boards for the latest parties in town.īut for us, it was the perfect place to take photos - they're just so picturesque we couldn't put our cameras down (except when it was time for Aperol Spritz). Locals use the porticoes in different ways, whether it be friends sitting under their arches to have an espresso or smoke, or to walk their dogs in the absence of rain. Another great way to see and learn about the porticoes is to take a guided city walking tour - that way you’ll understand their importance and beauty. By simply strolling the city's porticoes, it felt like we were getting to know the city and its history, one step at a time. There are close to 40kms of porticoes throughout the city of Bologna, each with its own unique style and structure. To avoid having to narrow the streets down to extend the footprint of the university, porticoes were built over the existing walkways - at a height that horses and carts could pass below them - that also created space for extensions to occur on top of them. The UNESCO world-heritage-listed porticoes of Bologna were built between the city's prosperous Middle Ages and the early 20th century when the growth of the University created the need for extra space. Lights and shadows, unique architectural angles, columns, capitals and frescoes Bologna's porticoes create the most fascinating urban landscapes and ones which we couldn't help but fall in love with. Love our photos? They were all edited using our custom Lightroom presets, which you can purchase here ! Here are twelve things you should do on your visit to Bologna. Often overlooked in favour of Italy’s other ‘hotspots’, if you’re a traveller in search of ‘true Italy’, Bologna has plenty to offer. What’s more, there’s a distinct lack of foreign tourists sharing these beautiful streets with you, which makes for a beautifully authentic, immersive experience. Not an easy feat in a country so famed for it’s delicious fare! It’s also one of Italy’s most progressive cities, with a deeply liberal and politically edgy society, while also securing pride of place as the country’s gastronomic capital (here’s everything you need to know before visiting Bologna!). Under these columns lie hidden galleries and hipster boutiques, hole in the wall bars and groups of students sharing a laugh between classes. Medieval terracotta buildings give the city its nickname, La Rossa, while miles of UNESCO heritage-listed porticoes paint the streets with lights, shadows, and deep architectural perspectives like a moving artwork (perfect for street photography!). In our opinion, this is one of Italy’s most unique, beautiful, and underrated cities. In a time when many Italy’s most popular destinations are calling for help as they struggle with record-breaking tourist numbers (again) and move toward implementing tourism taxes, it seemed almost impossible that there could still be a place left in the country where an authentic experience was possible. This was the advice given to us - by a Bologna local, no less - before our trip to Italy’s famed red city (after our hike through the incredible Emilia Romagna region), and our curiosity had instantly been piqued. “Bologna is a city you come to be a local, not a tourist,“
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