Greetings! Bologna is not a sausage.

Hello, Bologna! "Salve" in Italian means "hello." Many people wonder why not "Ciao." "Ciao" can be used, but it's more like "Hi." Today, we continue our tour of Italy with a stop in one of the oldest cities in the country. This small city is easy to explore on foot (although some might say it's a long walk and tiring). It's a slow-paced city with relaxed people and is also the oldest university town, with a university that's over a thousand years old. This is the city of Bologna.

Despite occasional rain, mid-October is one of the most pleasant times to visit Europe. The cool weather makes for comfortable walking throughout the day, even if evenings can be chilly. Bologna is an ancient city, and its architecture is surprisingly more Germanic than Italian, though the two styles blend seamlessly. The city is conveniently located near Venice and Venezia, a short train ride away. Today, we'll be staying in Bologna and, as usual, we'll start by reviewing our accommodation.

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This time we stayed at the Iportici Hotel, located in the heart of Bologna's historic center, within the restricted traffic zone (plan your route carefully). This SLH boutique hotel offers spacious and elegant rooms at a reasonable price. For those driving a hybrid car, the hotel provides electric charging stations. However, we didn't need a car, as the hotel is just a two-block walk from the city center. We were thoroughly impressed by the hotel's service and facilities, including the powerful water pressure, a welcome relief for those accustomed to hot climates. The surrounding area boasts numerous restaurants and luxury shopping options. In conclusion, the Iportici Hotel is an excellent choice for anyone visiting Bologna. The hotel is conveniently located next to the Montagnola Park.

The drive from the Dolomites to Bologna took approximately three hours. After parking the car, we explored the city, with the primary goal of finding a camera store to replace the lens cap I had lost in Davos. Once we had acquired the necessary item, we continued our sightseeing.

Instead of visiting the two towers, we decided to grab some pizza at a nearby restaurant recommended by TripAdvisor. The restaurant is located near the two towers or Piazza di Porta Ravegnana. While the restaurant was quite popular and crowded, I personally found the pizza to be just average. We then tried another pizza place where we had to stand and eat due to limited seating. Surprisingly, the pizza there was much better and the slices were huge. We shared two slices and a coke, which was enough to fuel us for the rest of our walk.

The restaurant in the picture is not the one I'm referring to. I was too hungry to take a picture. However, it is located near the Leica shop and offers a similar view of the towers. The square is a straight walk from the hotel to the city center. If you look to the left, you will see two tall towers standing side by side: the Torre degli Asinelli (Tower of the Asinelli) and the Torre dei Garisenda (Tower of the Garisenda). These are important landmarks of the city of Bologna. The Asinelli Tower, meaning "Donkeys," was built around 1109 AD and is 330 feet tall. The Garisenda Tower was built later and is located next to it. This area is also a shopping district, with a department store that blends in with the historic buildings and luxury brand stores. Ladies, don't miss it! There are also many gelato shops in the area.

Bologna, a city renowned for its academic excellence, also boasts a vibrant culinary scene, offering delectable pizzas and gelato, the quintessential Italian ice cream. The city's slow-paced lifestyle and architectural marvels, characterized by terracotta hues, have earned it the moniker "Bologna la rossa," the Red City. Its beauty is widely acknowledged, ranking second only to Venice among Italian cities.

The University Quarter: A Historic Hub of Education and Entertainment

The area depicted in the image above, where a small cat gazes out from a church doorway, is the University Quarter, located on Via Zamponi. This historic district is home to the oldest university in Europe, yet it also boasts a vibrant nightlife scene with numerous pubs, bars, and cafés. Unlike some countries, Italy has no regulations prohibiting the proximity of alcohol establishments to educational institutions. This reflects the belief that university students are mature individuals capable of self-control and responsible decision-making.

Bologna: A City Steeped in History

Bologna, a city with a rich and complex history spanning over two millennia, has been shaped by a succession of rulers and influences. Originally settled by Celtic tribes from Northern Europe in the centuries before the Common Era, Bologna was later incorporated into the Roman Empire. Its strategic location amidst powerful city-states led to a series of rulers throughout history, including the Huns, Goths, Lombards, Franks, Austrians, and French. Despite these changes in leadership, Bologna remained a significant city, frequently mentioned in historical records.

During periods of independence, Bologna flourished under the rule of the Pepoli and Bentivoglio families. As a Papal Fiefdom, the city was governed by the Pope. This long and varied history has contributed to Bologna's reputation in various fields, particularly education and governance. Notably, Bologna boasts the world's first established city council and the first city to abolish slavery.

Bologna was designated a UNESCO City of Music in 2006 and is also the birthplace of renowned scientists such as Luigi Alosio Galvani (1737-1798), who discovered electrical muscle stimulation known as Galvanism, which inspired Alessandro Volta to create the world's first battery. The city is also believed to be the setting for Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa painting. The heart of the city is home to the Basilica of San Petronio, located behind the large Neptune Fountain. Unfortunately, both the fountain and the church were closed for repairs during my visit. However, this area is conveniently located in the city center and attracts tourists even in the late evenings. It is also a popular shopping and dining destination.

Another morning in Bologna. We woke up to the news of an earthquake that had struck central Italy the previous night. While we didn't feel much of it in Bologna, the experience was quite different in Rome. We were staying at a hotel that swayed noticeably during the earthquake, which lasted about 20 seconds. It was a thrilling experience, especially since it was our first time experiencing an earthquake. Today, we explored the eastern part of the city, which is home to another university campus and primarily residential areas. The atmosphere was much calmer than the bustling city center, making it a pleasant place to stroll and admire the city's beauty without the crowds. We enjoyed a hot coffee and some crispy bread while taking in the sights. It was tempting to leave all our work behind and simply enjoy the Italian lifestyle (if only we had the funds!). We also came across a large park where university students were basking in the sun to escape the cold. It was impossible to resist watching these adorable young people (although I refrained from taking any photos, preferring to keep the experience to myself). Italian women are truly beautiful, second only to Russian women in my opinion.

Nestled in the heart of the city lies the Basilica of San Domenico, a smaller yet equally stunning church. Entry is free, making it an ideal spot for a moment of reflection and spiritual rejuvenation.

After a long day of walking, we ended up in the area around our hotel. The name of the area is the same as the hotel, I Portici, which means "the arcade." This area is also likely to be popular with young women, as it is a true shopping street. From bags and fashion to department stores, restaurants, cinemas, and high-tech gadgets, everything is concentrated on this street. Thank you for visiting.