Bologna

Bologna is the capital of the Emilia-Romagna region. Founded by the Etruscans, the city has been an urban center for centuries, first under the Etruscans, then under the Celts, then under the Romans, and again in the Middle Ages, when it was among the largest European cities by population. It is home to the oldest university in Europe established in 1088. The Basilica of San Petronio is dedicated to the patron saint of the city, Saint Petronius, who was the bishop of Bologna in the fifth century. Construction began in 1390 and its main facade has remained unfinished since. With its huge dimensions (length 132 m, width 60 m, vault height 45 m) it is one of the largest churches in the world. the basilica dates back to 1390, when the city of Bologna commissioned Antonio di Vincenzo to build it. For centuries the church was built. After the first design of the facade in 1393, work began on the side chapels, which were not completed until 1479. The decorations of the central nave were made by Girolamo Rainaldi between 1646 and 1658. The basilica was given to the diocese only in 1929 and was consecrated in 1954. The Triumphal Cross is a work from the 17th century.

A small, but very strange paste-up graffito in Bologna. Is this a warning? For rabbits? For tourists? For meat-eaters? For tourists? For neighbours? Or is this a "Bunny Bolognese"?

Bologna is the capital of the Emilia-Romagna region. Founded by the Etruscans, the city has been an urban center for centuries, first under the Etruscans, then under the Celts, then under the Romans, and again in the Middle Ages, when it was among the largest European cities by population. It is home to the oldest university in Europe established in 1088. Bologna is renowned for its culinary tradition. It is the home of the famous Bolognese sauce, called ragù. As in all of Emilia-Romagna, the production of cured pork meats such as prosciutto and salumi is an important part of the local food industry. Mortadella counts to the Bolognese specialities. So shopping for the Christmas dinner is very extensive here.

Bologna is the capital of the Emilia-Romagna region. Founded by the Etruscans, the city has been an urban center for centuries, first under the Etruscans, then under the Celts, then under the Romans, and again in the Middle Ages, when it was among the largest European cities by population. It is home to the oldest university in Europe established in 1088. Bologna is renowned for its culinary tradition. It is the home of the famous Bolognese sauce, called ragù. As in all of Emilia-Romagna, the production of cured pork meats such as prosciutto and salumi is an important part of the local food industry. Mortadella counts to the Bolognese specialities. So shopping for the Christmas dinner is very extensive here.

Bologna is the capital of the Emilia-Romagna region. Founded by the Etruscans, the city has been an urban center for centuries, first under the Etruscans, then under the Celts, then under the Romans, and again in the Middle Ages, when it was among the largest European cities by population. It is home to the oldest university in Europe established in 1088. Bologna is renowned for its culinary tradition. It is the home of the famous Bolognese sauce, called ragù. As in all of Emilia-Romagna, the production of cured pork meats such as prosciutto and salumi is an important part of the local food industry. Mortadella counts to the Bolognese specialities. So shopping for the Christmas dinner is very extensive here and the Mercato delle Erbe is a good place for food.

Bologna is the capital of the Emilia-Romagna region. Founded by the Etruscans, the city has been an urban center for centuries, first under the Etruscans, then under the Celts, then under the Romans, and again in the Middle Ages, when it was among the largest European cities by population. It is home to the oldest university in Europe established in 1088. Bologna is renowned for its culinary tradition. It is the home of the famous Bolognese sauce, called ragù. As in all of Emilia-Romagna, the production of cured pork meats such as prosciutto and salumi is an important part of the local food industry. Mortadella counts to the Bolognese specialities. La Salumeria da Bruno et Franco also offers courses for tourists who want to learn pasta making

Bologna is the capital of the Emilia-Romagna region. Founded by the Etruscans, the city has been an urban center for centuries, first under the Etruscans, then under the Celts, then under the Romans, and again in the Middle Ages, when it was among the largest European cities by population. It is home to the oldest university in Europe established in 1088. Bologna is renowned for its culinary tradition. It is the home of the famous Bolognese sauce, called ragù. As in all of Emilia-Romagna, the production of cured pork meats such as prosciutto and salumi is an important part of the local food industry. Mortadella counts to the Bolognese specialities. Bologna is famous for its elegant and extensive porticoes. In total, there are some 38 kilometers of porticoes in the city's historical center. Farmacia Zarri

Bologna is the capital of the Emilia-Romagna region. Founded by the Etruscans, the city has been an urban center for centuries, first under the Etruscans, then under the Celts, then under the Romans, and again in the Middle Ages, when it was among the largest European cities by population. It is home to the oldest university in Europe established in 1088. Bologna is renowned for its culinary tradition. It is the home of the famous Bolognese sauce, called ragù. As in all of Emilia-Romagna, the production of cured pork meats such as prosciutto and salumi is an important part of the local food industry. Mortadella counts to the Bolognese specialities. Atti Tortellini

Bologna is the capital of the Emilia-Romagna region. Founded by the Etruscans, the city has been an urban center for centuries, first under the Etruscans, then under the Celts, then under the Romans, and again in the Middle Ages, when it was among the largest European cities by population. It is home to the oldest university in Europe established in 1088. Bologna is renowned for its culinary tradition. It is the home of the famous Bolognese sauce, called ragù. As in all of Emilia-Romagna, the production of cured pork meats such as prosciutto and salumi is an important part of the local food industry. Mortadella counts to the Bolognese specialities. Bologna is famous for its elegant and extensive porticoes. In total, there are about 38 kilometers of porticoes in the historic center of the city. The clock of the "Banco di Roma" stopped long ago.

Bologna is the capital of the Emilia-Romagna region. Founded by the Etruscans, the city has been an urban center for centuries, first under the Etruscans, then under the Celts, then under the Romans, and again in the Middle Ages, when it was among the largest European cities by population. It is home to the oldest university in Europe established in 1088. Bologna is renowned for its culinary tradition. It is the home of the famous Bolognese sauce, called ragù. As in all of Emilia-Romagna, the production of cured pork meats such as prosciutto and salumi is an important part of the local food industry. Mortadella counts to the Bolognese specialities. La Bella Macchina - Italians love fancy, fast cars

Bologna is the capital of the Emilia-Romagna region. Founded by the Etruscans, the city has been an urban center for centuries, first under the Etruscans, then under the Celts, then under the Romans, and again in the Middle Ages, when it was among the largest European cities by population. It is home to the oldest university in Europe established in 1088. Bologna is renowned for its culinary tradition. It is the home of the famous Bolognese sauce, called ragù. As in all of Emilia-Romagna, the production of cured pork meats such as prosciutto and salumi is an important part of the local food industry. Mortadella counts to the Bolognese specialities. Bologna is famous for its elegant and extensive porticoes. In total, there are some 38 kilometers of porticoes in the city's historical center. Just before Christmas, the center of Bologna becomes very crowded.

Bologna is the capital of the Emilia-Romagna region. Founded by the Etruscans, the city has been an urban center for centuries, first under the Etruscans, then under the Celts, then under the Romans, and again in the Middle Ages. In 728 Bologna was conquered by the Longobard king Liutprand and thus became part of the Longobard Empire. In the 11th century the place grew again as a free commune. In 1088 the university was founded, today the oldest university in Europe. As the city continued to expand, it received a new ring of ramparts in the 12th century, and another was completed in the 14th century. In 1164 Bologna joined the Lombard League against Frederick I Barbarossa, and in 1256 the city promulgated the "Legge del Paradiso", which abolished serfdom and slavery and freed the remaining slaves with public money. The city center was a forest of towers. It is estimated that around 100 family towers of the leading families, church towers and towers of public buildings defined the cityscape. In 1272, King Enzio of Sardinia, an illegitimate son of the Hohenstaufen Emperor Frederick II, died in Bologna after more than 22 years of imprisonment. The Piazza Maggiore is a central square in Bologna. The appearance reflects the layout from the 15th century. Seen is the Palazzo del Podestà, built around 1200 as the seat of the local podestà, the various functionaries of the commune. It is facing the Basilica of San Petronio and located just behind is the "Palazzo Re Enzo", where Enzio died.

Bologna is the capital of the Emilia-Romagna region. Founded by the Etruscans, the city has been an urban center for centuries, first under the Etruscans, then under the Celts, then under the Romans, and again in the Middle Ages. In 728 Bologna was conquered by the Longobard king Liutprand and thus became part of the Longobard Empire. In the 11th century the place grew again as a free commune. In 1088 the university was founded, today the oldest university in Europe. As the city continued to expand, it received a new ring of ramparts in the 12th century, and another was completed in the 14th century. In 1164 Bologna joined the Lombard League against Frederick I Barbarossa, and in 1256 the city promulgated the "Legge del Paradiso", which abolished serfdom and slavery and freed the remaining slaves with public money. The city center was a forest of towers. It is estimated that around 100 family towers of the leading families, church towers and towers of public buildings defined the cityscape. In 1272, King Enzio of Sardinia, an illegitimate son of the Hohenstaufen Emperor Frederick II, died in Bologna after more than 22 years of imprisonment. The "Fontana del Nettuno" is located on the "Piazza del Nettuno" in the center of Bologna. The 3,35 m high statue of Neptune is made of bronze and stands in the center of the fountain, surrounded by sirens and dolphins. He is simply called "the giant" by the people of Bologna. The fountain was created between 1563 and 1566 by Giovanni di Bologna (aka Giambologna). The pedestal with the dolphins and sirens was designed by Tommaso Laureti. The trident held by Neptune also adorns the logo of the Maserati company. Seen to the very left is the "Palazzo Re Enzo", where Enzio died.

Bologna is the capital of the Emilia-Romagna region. Founded by the Etruscans, the city has been an urban center for centuries, first under the Etruscans, then under the Celts, then under the Romans, and again in the Middle Ages. In 728 Bologna was conquered by the Longobard king Liutprand and thus became part of the Longobard Empire. In the 11th century the place grew again as a free commune. In 1088 the university was founded, today the oldest university in Europe. As the city continued to expand, it received a new ring of ramparts in the 12th century, and another was completed in the 14th century. In 1164 Bologna joined the Lombard League against Frederick I Barbarossa, and in 1256 the city promulgated the "Legge del Paradiso", which abolished serfdom and slavery and freed the remaining slaves with public money. The city center was a forest of towers. It is estimated that around 100 family towers of the leading families, church towers and towers of public buildings defined the cityscape. In 1272, King Enzio of Sardinia, an illegitimate son of the Hohenstaufen Emperor Frederick II, died in Bologna after more than 22 years of imprisonment. Bologna is famous for its elegant and extensive porticoes. In total, there are some 38 kilometers of porticoes in the city's historical center.

Bologna is the capital of the Emilia-Romagna region. Founded by the Etruscans, the city has been an urban center for centuries, first under the Etruscans, then under the Celts, then under the Romans, and again in the Middle Ages. In 728 Bologna was conquered by the Longobard king Liutprand and thus became part of the Longobard Empire. In the 11th century the place grew again as a free commune. In 1088 the university was founded, today the oldest university in Europe. As the city continued to expand, it received a new ring of ramparts in the 12th century, and another was completed in the 14th century. In 1164 Bologna joined the Lombard League against Frederick I Barbarossa, and in 1256 the city promulgated the "Legge del Paradiso", which abolished serfdom and slavery and freed the remaining slaves with public money. The city center was a forest of towers. It is estimated that around 100 family towers of the leading families, church towers and towers of public buildings defined the cityscape. In 1272, King Enzio of Sardinia, an illegitimate son of the Hohenstaufen Emperor Frederick II, died in Bologna after more than 22 years of imprisonment. The "Church of the Saints Vitale and Agricola" is just as the Basilica di Santo Stefano part of "Sette Chiese" (= "Seven Churches") or "Santa Gerusalemme" (= "Holy Jerusalem"). It comprises a complex of interconnected religious buildings built between the 5th and 13th centuries. According to tradition, St. Petronius, a bishop in the 5th century, built the first basilica. He wanted a building reminiscent of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. Two interesting capitals flank this portal. A woman with a lion at her side trying to bite her and a praying man surrounded by strange apparitions. The woman is clinging to a palm tree. The right capital shows three figures: an angel, a mermaid and a raven. The crow and the siren could represent the passions associated with lust. In front of these passions is the angel who shows the way to heaven to the faithful. The inscription reads "Vis Caesaris II inchoavit", but I do not know, who Caesar II was.

Bologna is the capital of the Emilia-Romagna region. Founded by the Etruscans, the city has been an urban center for centuries, first under the Etruscans, then under the Celts, then under the Romans, and again in the Middle Ages. In 728 Bologna was conquered by the Longobard king Liutprand and thus became part of the Longobard Empire. In the 11th century the place grew again as a free commune. In 1088 the university was founded, today the oldest university in Europe. As the city continued to expand, it received a new ring of ramparts in the 12th century, and another was completed in the 14th century. In 1164 Bologna joined the Lombard League against Frederick I Barbarossa, and in 1256 the city promulgated the "Legge del Paradiso", which abolished serfdom and slavery and freed the remaining slaves with public money. The city center was a forest of towers. It is estimated that around 100 family towers of the leading families, church towers and towers of public buildings defined the cityscape. In 1272, King Enzio of Sardinia, an illegitimate son of the Hohenstaufen Emperor Frederick II, died in Bologna after more than 22 years of imprisonment. The Franciscans had occupied a modest house in Bologna, called Santa Maria delle Pugliole, founded in 1211 by Bernard of Quintavalle, one of the first members of the Order. In 1122 Francis of Assisi visited the city to preach. This sparked a great interest in the Order. At the urging of Pope Gregory IX, the authorities of the commune gave the property on which the basilica is now built to the friars in 1236 for a church of their own. Construction was begun and sufficiently complete by 1251 that it was consecrated by Pope Innocent IV. The main structure was finally completed in 1263. During the occupation of Italy by the French Revolutionary Army, in 1796 the church was desecrated and the friary was seized and used as a barracks. The church was restored to religious use in 1842, but was later seized again in the course of the Second Italian War of Independence and used as a military storehouse. It was finally returned to the Franciscans in 1886. The restoration of the church to its original aspect was completed in 1919. Seen here from a distance in pouring rain,

Bologna is the capital of the Emilia-Romagna region. Founded by the Etruscans, the city has been an urban center for centuries, first under the Etruscans, then under the Celts, then under the Romans, and again in the Middle Ages. In 728 Bologna was conquered by the Longobard king Liutprand and thus became part of the Longobard Empire. In the 11th century the place grew again as a free commune. In 1088 the university was founded, today the oldest university in Europe. As the city continued to expand, it received a new ring of ramparts in the 12th century, and another was completed in the 14th century. In 1164 Bologna joined the Lombard League against Frederick I Barbarossa, and in 1256 the city promulgated the "Legge del Paradiso", which abolished serfdom and slavery and freed the remaining slaves with public money. The city center was a forest of towers. It is estimated that around 100 family towers of the leading families, church towers and towers of public buildings defined the cityscape. In 1272, King Enzio of Sardinia, an illegitimate son of the Hohenstaufen Emperor Frederick II, died in Bologna after more than 22 years of imprisonment. The Gothic-style Basilica di San Martino was founded by the adjacent Carmelite monastery and built in 1217. The brick tracery vaults of the ceiling were added in 1457. The present facade was added in 1879, in a Gothic style.

Bologna is the capital of the Emilia-Romagna region. Founded by the Etruscans, the city has been an urban center for centuries, first under the Etruscans, then under the Celts, then under the Romans, and again in the Middle Ages. In 728 Bologna was conquered by the Longobard king Liutprand and thus became part of the Longobard Empire. In the 11th century the place grew again as a free commune. In 1088 the university was founded, today the oldest university in Europe. As the city continued to expand, it received a new ring of ramparts in the 12th century, and another was completed in the 14th century. In 1164 Bologna joined the Lombard League against Frederick I Barbarossa, and in 1256 the city promulgated the "Legge del Paradiso", which abolished serfdom and slavery and freed the remaining slaves with public money. The city center was a forest of towers. It is estimated that around 100 family towers of the leading families, church towers and towers of public buildings defined the cityscape. In 1272, King Enzio of Sardinia, an illegitimate son of the Hohenstaufen Emperor Frederick II, died in Bologna after more than 22 years of imprisonment. The oratory, built between 1481 and 1497, was initially dedicated to the Madonna but was popularly known under the title of Holy Spirit, after the name of the lay brotherhood of the same name that had its headquarters there. The brotherhood was dissolved in 1798 and the structure and all the works preserved went to the state. The facade is covered and decorated with terracotta. The ornaments and the medallions with saints are attributed to Sperandio di Mantova. The original façade was restored in 1892-1893 when the building became the property of the Banca di Credito Popolare di Bologna.