Holiday apartment in Bologna: Porticoes, culture and culinary tradition

Bologna reveals its history through an exceptional urban structure: the UNESCO porticoes comprise a selection of 12 porticoes within the city's 62-kilometre network of portico walkways, the largest portico system in the world. The tradition of constructing and maintaining these porticoes dates from the 12th to the 21st century. In addition, there is a medieval old town that is one of the most extensive and best-preserved in Europe. Bologna also holds the UNESCO title “Creative City of Music”.

Culture

The history of the university comes together in the Palazzo dell’Archiginnasio: the building was erected in 1562 and 1563 at the behest of the papal legate to Bologna, Cardinal Carlo Borromeo, and the vice-legate Pier Donato Cesi, based on a design by the Bolognese architect Antonio Morandi, known as Terribilia. The aim was to provide a single location for university teaching, which had previously been spread across various sites. In 1637, the Teatro Anatomico was also designed in the Archiginnasio for anatomy lessons by the Bolognese architect Antonio Paolucci, known as il Levanti, a pupil of the Carracci. The room is made of fir wood and decorated with two rows of statues: the lower row depicts twelve famous physicians, while the upper row depicts twenty of the best-known anatomists of the Bolognese Studio.

The Basilica di San Petronio is open to citizens, tourists and visitors of all kinds. Its organ was built around 1470 by Lorenzo da Prato and is considered the oldest organ still in use in the world. The city's musical history also has its own venue: the Sala della Musica is Italy's first permanent exhibition on the history of a city's popular music.

The Pavaglione, Banchi e Piazza Maggiore component comprises one of Europe's most significant and best-preserved medieval public spaces. The Pavaglione is also the longest uninterrupted portico in Bologna. The covered spaces in the portico complex remain privately owned but are used by the public.

Architecture and urban routes

The Santuario di San Luca is connected by a four-kilometre-long road with a portico, beginning at the Porta Saragozza. It has more than 600 arches and is considered the longest in the world. Another view of the city opens up at the Finestrella di Via Piella: it looks out over the Canale delle Moline and one of the city's few remaining open stretches of water.

Bologna offers several trekking routes throughout the year, allowing visitors to discover art, architecture and nature within the city area. This brings different ways of travelling through the city together: long arcaded walkways, historic spaces, views of the water, and routes that connect urban culture with nature.

Culinary Bologna

The Quadrilatero lies in the heart of Bologna's historic old town. The area is shaped by a craft, trading and commercial tradition dating back to the Middle Ages. One of Bologna's best-known products is fresh egg pasta; its long-standing tradition is based on recipes passed down through generations. A traditional cooking course is also offered in Bologna city centre.

Getting there

Bologna is Italy's most important railway junction and is particularly well connected by high-speed rail. When comparing holiday apartments in Bologna, you can check the exact location, type of accommodation, occupancy, included services, price components, and the booking and cancellation conditions of the respective offers before booking.

Further destinations in this selection: Bologna, Castel Del Rio, Castel San Pietro Terme, Ripoli, Sasso Marconi, San Lazzaro Di Savena, San Giovanni In Persiceto, Quarto Inferiore, Porretta Terme, Pieve Di Cento, Pianoro, Mordano, Monzuno, Monteveglio, Monte San Pietro, Dozza, Crespellano, Castenaso, Castel Maggiore, Calderara Di Reno, Bentivoglio, Valsamoggia, Anzola Dell'emilia, Ozzano Dell Emilia, Tolè, Budrio, Molinella, San Pietro In Casale, Castel Guelfo Di Bologna, Medicina, Minerbio, Casalecchio Di Reno, Funo, Imola, Villanova, Portonovo, Castiglione Dei Pepoli, Marzabotto, Malalbergo, San Benedetto Val Di Sambro, Savigno, Calcara, Monterenzio, Argelato, Altedo, Granarolo Dell'emilia, Monghidoro, Loiano, San Vincenzo, Fontanelice, Castello Di Serravalle, Casalfiumanese, Castel D'aiano, Grizzana Morandi, Ponticelli, Sala Bolognese, Vidiciatico, Lizzano In Belvedere, Roncobilaccio, Sassoleone, Baricella, Gaggio Montano, Varignana-Palesio, Ponte Samoggia, Rastignano-Carteria Di Sesto, Sacerno, Fontana, Linaro, San Giorgio Di Piano, Borgonuovo, Crevalcore, Camugnano, Vergato, Castello D'argile, Pizzano, Castel Di Casio, Rioveggio, Ponte della Venturina, Zappolino, Santa Viola, Noce, Suviana, San Martino in Pedriolo, Pian del Voglio, Granaglione, Sant'Agata Bolognese, San Marino, Farneto, Tossignano, Cà Bianca, Casette di Funo, Baragazza, Molino del Pallone, Pioppe, Borgo Tossignano, Brento, Scuola, Fiumetto, Madonna dei Fornelli, I Casoni.

To the higher-level travel overview: Emilia-Romagna.