Bologna is one of the most developed cities in Italy and one of the top cities, in terms of quality of life in Italy.
This is due to its strong industrial tradition, its wide range of highly-developed social services, and its physical location at the crossing-point of the most important highways and railways in the country. Bologna is a lively and cosmopolitan Italian college city, and it has a rich history, art, cuisine, music and culture.
It was made 2000's European Capital of Culture and in 2006 received from UNESCO the recognition of Creative City of music.
Bologna is the city of arcades: more than 38 km in the historical center.
Their origin is partly attributable to the strong expansion that occured in the city in the late Middle Ages, when the city and the flourishing University became a center field for students and intellectuals from across Europe.
The Towers of Bologna, of medieval origin, are one of the most characteristic features of the city. In the Middle Ages there would have been more than 180.
The two towers, landmarks of the city, are the Torre degli Asinelli (97.20 meters, the highest in Italy) and the Garisenda Tower, built for willing of noble Ghibellines in the twelfth century.
The steeper of the two, the Garisenda, has ben cited by Dante Alighieri in the Divine Comedy and the Rime.
Bologna has also been called “The Learned” city because of its University, which is the oldest in the Western world, founded in 1088; “The Fat” city because of its famous cuisine and “the Red” city because of red, terracotta- coloured houses.
You can find more information about Bologna by visiting the following link: iat.comune.bologna.it e-mail: TouristOffice@Comune.Bologna.it