Appianline - Roma

It is not easy to fully and synthetically illustrate to visitors what they can discover in the city: the monuments and museums, arcades and streets of this historic and “compact” city centre which is still in a surprisingly good state of repair considering the ravages of time and men.

Bologna is one of the main cities of Emilia-Romagna region, it is situated in the Pedemontana Apennine zone, where the valley of the Reno opens out to the Emilia plain. Itis an important commercial center, both for the agricultural richness of the adjacent plain and for its position as a crossroad between major directions of national traffic (Florence-Bologna-Milan, Florence-Bologna-Brenner, Florence-Bologna-Venice and Rimini-Bologna-Milan). The industrial component, whose notable sectors are mechanics, food, and shoemaking, are of special importance. Its historical background dates back to Etruscan period. In the Middle Ages it followed the fortunes of the Ravenna military and, after various dominations, it became a free Comune around the year 1000. Between the 13th and the 14th centuries, the city went through a period of major flourishing and development, followed then by long subjection to the Church State, which lasted until the 19th century.
Such fertile land and a population with good taste have given life to what many consider the richest cuisine in Italy. The gastronomic tradition in Bologna, as in all of Emilia Romagna, has developed around three fundamental elements: filled pastas, cooking based on pork, and the famous grated cheese that, produced in the territory between Piacenza and Bologna, represents one of the gastronomic flags of "made in Italy."

Emilian flavours:

Typical products of the Bolognese table are tortellini and tagliatelli both made entirely by hand. And served with ragù or with butter and fresh tomatoes. Another product of the Felsinea gastronomy is mortadella, which is born from a mixture experimented for a long time, of cooked meat exclusively derived from Italian production. This is a healthy and digestible product to be eaten either as a main dish or as an appetizing antipasto.

Bologna to see

Piazza Maggiore is the harth of Bologna, Piazza Nettuno decorated by Giambologna’s statue of Neptune. In this two squares are Palazzo de Re Enzo and the Palazzo del Podestà. Also a part of the Piazza Maggiore is flanked by the Palazzo Comunale, on the west side. Opposite of the Palazzo del Podestà is the Basilica of San Petronio designed by Antonio da Vicenza (1390).

To the east is the Piazza Porta Ravegnana, characterized by the famous Due Torri (Two Towers) built in 1119 as a competition between two Bolognese families.

The monastery of Santo Stefano, made up of 4 churches and 2 chapels. Founded by St. Petronius, the largest is the Crocifisso, built in the 11th century.

The Pinacoteca Nazionale, is Bologna’s most prized possession. Here is where the city’s most important artwork is stored, containing works from some of the most famous artist in Italian history.