Bologna the red
RED, like the roofs of houses that make it unique. It will be a pleasure to admire them from the windows of the rooms of our exclusive bed & breakfast, in particular at sunset or at dawn when you can find a unique, romantic and dreamlike atmosphere. The reddish color symbolizes the generous, welcoming and enjoyable people from Bologna!
Bologna the learned
LEARNED because in Bologna there is the oldest university in the world, the Alma Mater Studiorum, whose origins can be traced back to the 11th century. In Bologna you can breathe history, culture and beauty everywhere. Moreover, the presence of the university has made Bologna an open world, ready to welcome young people from all over Europe for centuries. Thanks to this, Bononia or Felsina (ancient names of the city) offers not only the classic tourist itineraries but also a unique vitality in the Italian panorama, made up of restaurants open all hours, of many places of the most varied types, bars, trattorias and taverns.
Let us not forget that Bologna, being a strategic a cultural center, has also one of the most advanced exhibition centers in Europe. The Bologna fair is just a few minutes drive from our Bed & Breakfast, so the Attic in Via d’Azeglio is an ideal location for both tourist stays and business stays in Bologna.
In 2000 the city was “European capital of culture” and since 2006 Bologna has been included by UNESCO in the network of creative cities as “city of music”.
Bologna the fat
FAT because cooking in Bologna is a serious matter. If it is true that Italy is known throughout the world for its cuisine, Bologna is the first and most important city of food in Italy.
You will find the best Italian culinary tradition: tortellini, tortelloni, tagliatelle, lasagne, Bolognese ragu, mortadella, the finest meats … the list is endless. The suggestion is to get lost in the area between Via Delle Pescherie Vecchie and Vicolo degli Orefici, where the Bolognese people stop to drink and eat and where you will find cafés of all sorts that will offer you excellent tastings.
It is also no coincidence that FICO was born in Bologna (link below) the most important food theme park: a huge “playground” dedicated to lovers of good food!
Piazza Maggiore
Located just a few minutes walk from our Bed & Breakfast in the centre of Bologna, it is the beating heart of the city, the starting point for the most important tourist itineraries.
Overlooking Piazza Maggiore there are the Basilica of San Petronio, the Palazzo del Podestà, the Palazzo Re Enzo, the Fontana del Nettuno, the Palazzo della Sala Borsa.
Staying in our B&B allows you to experience the heart of the city.
Basilica of San Petronio
It was designed to be the largest and most beautiful basilica in Christianity: the Vatican envied it and blocked its construction because it could not exceed the St. Peter’s Church of Rome in size. Today the Basilica of San Petronio is one of the largest in the world, and by far one of the most beautiful. In fact it was chosen by Charles V for his coronation as Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire. A jewel of Gothic architecture, its organ dates back to the 1470 and there is also the longest indoor sundial in the world. http://www.basilicadisanpetronio.org
NETTUNO’S FOUNTAIN (and its secret)
It was commissioned by Cardinal Borromeo and built by the famous Flemish sculptor Giambologna.
The history of Neptune is surrounded by a bizarre legend that all Bolognese people know and that concerns … the private parts of Neptune!
It is said that Giambologna was forced by the Cardinal to shrink the intimate parts of the statue which were of such a size that they could create a sensation in the population. The sculptor agreed to the order received but took a small revenge: in fact he put the hand of Neptune in a position that, from a certain perspective seemed just … Did it intrigue you? Look for the black brick behind the statue: that is the perspective to discover the secret of Neptune. Can’t find it? Ask for information at the reception of our Bed & Breackfast the Attic of Via D’Azeglio, we will show you how to find the famous black brick, to give you a smile.
ASINELLI’S AND THE OTHER TOWERS
Bologna has a tradition of important noble families often fighting each other. This led to the construction of many towers that had the double purpose of defending and being symbols of the importance of the family that had built it (the height of the tower represented the importance of the family).
The Torre degli Asinelli and the Torre Garisenda constitute the symbol of the city: our beloved Two Towers.
The Torre degli Asinelli was built between 1109 and 1119 and is the highest tower in the city. Visitors can climb the 498 steps that lead to the top, and enjoy one of the most spectacular views of the city of Bologna.
There are many towers in Bologna and so while you are walking you have to look very often towards the sky, to discover the hidden towers and choose the one you like most.
THE BASILICA OF SANTO STEFANO AND THE COMPLEX OF THE 7 CHURCHES
The Piazza Santo Stefano hosts the Basilica of Santo Stefano which houses the Church of the Crucifix, the Basilica of the Sepulcher, the Church of San Vitale and Sant’Agricola, the Courtyard of Pilate, the Church of the Martyrium, the Medieval Cloister and the Museum of Saint Stephen.
The legend says that San Petronio wanted to recreate the Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem within Santo Stefano’s Basilica: it is really worth a visit!
Although the various buildings that overlook the triangular square date back to different periods, Piazza Santo Stefano is probably one of the most romantic and magical places in the city. A really powerful energy flows in this place, making vibrate even the most distracted visitors …
THE ARCADES AND SAN LUCA
One of the symbols that make the city of Bologna unique are certainly its arcades. For 40 km the arcades offer shelter from the cold and the bad weather in winter and from the heat and the sun during the summer.
They also symbolize the desire of Bolognese people to welcome visitors and other citizens because the portico represents a space that is taken away from private buildings to be offered as cover and shelter for wayfarers. This represents the open nature of the inhabitants of Bologna!
The most famous portico is the one that, almost 4km long, goes from the city to the hill where the Basilica of San Luca is located and from which you can appreciate a wonderful view that embraces Bologna and the valley below, a destination that has not to be missed . This portico also has a strong symbolic value as it is composed of 666 arches (symbol of the devil) and rises climbing like a snake (also a symbol of evil), but above all rises the Basilica of the Beata Vergine di San Luca which, metaphorically, overhangs the evil and crushes it. For this reason, for centuries the ascent on foot to the basilica represents a path of purification and liberation from sin.
Shopping
An opportunity to buy all sorts of items at reasonable prices happens every Friday and Saturday at the Montagnola Market, also reachable on foot from the Bed & Breakfast, where among the thousand stalls everyone can be able to find bargains between clothing products , objects etc.
The two most famous shopping streets are Via Indipendenza and Via D’Azeglio (the central street where our Bed & Breakfast is located), where the so-called historic shops of the city (bottega, as they’re called by Bologna’s inhabitants) coexist alongside with the shops of the biggest brands.
So get lost in the various side streets that intersect in the city center and you will have the possibility to experience the city outside the usual tourist routes and to discover the different faces of the city of Bologna, finding your bottega or your place in the heart.
FICO
Do you love eating well? Here is the place for you.
FICO is the largest food park in the world!
It offers all the wonder of Italian biodiversity in one place. Over a total of 10 hectares of land, including 8 covered and 2 outdoors, there are over 150 different restaurants, kiosks or Italian food producers. But also the educational farm, the breeding of animals, many events related to food and nutrition, for all ages. For more information click here (https://www.eatalyworld.it/it/)
Succede solo a Bologna
With pleasure we suggest the following link to learn more about itineraries and visits out of the ordinary but absolutely not to be missed in the city of Bologna: http://www.succedesoloabologna.it