Bologna is the capital of the Emilia-Romagna Region, located in the Northern part of Italy.
Bologna is a city full of art and culture and home of the oldest University in the Western world - Alma Mater Studiorum - founded in 1088. Its history is intertwined with that of the great names of science and literature. It is a keystone and a point of reference for European culture.
The very special urban fabric, the cultural heritage, and the remarkable architecture make Bologna a warm, welcoming city. Bologna played host to the greatest names in European culture and, in May 2006, was appointed a UNESCO City of Music. The centre of the city, with its well preserved Medieval layout, is famous for its porticoes: more than 40 km of elegant and extensive arcades flank medieval streets and enchanting squares. 666 arches connect the city to the well-known sanctuary of Madonna di San Luca, in the Guardia Hills. The towers are a very important symbol of the city and were about 100 in the past. Among them, the two famous Torre Asinelli and Garisenda represent the landmark of the city.
Bologna is also renowned for its friendly atmosphere, joie de vivre and haute cuisine. Visitors can revel in the vitality of this bustling town, the delicious smells from the market stalls, the international level of the cultural events and the elegance of its exclusive stores.
Finally, Bologna is a powerhouse of the Italian economy, boasting famous names in the motor industry like Ducati, Minarelli, Lamborghini, Ferrari, Maserati, Italjet, Malaguti, MotoMorini, and VM; while fashion has its roots in the city with names like Borbonese, Magli, and La Perla.
Getting Bologna
Bologna International airport “Guglielmo Marconi”, one of the most important in Italy, connects Bologna with the main Italian and European cities. A bus shuttle connects the airport with the city centre in 15 minutes.
Moreover, Bologna is a major road and railway hub, extremely well connected with all Italian cities: a high‐speed train line connects it with Florence (35 minutes), Milan (1 hour), Rome (2 hours). Venice can be reached in less than an hour and a half.