Day 01
Bologna Historic Center, Towers, and Hidden Mysteries
- The guided tour of Bologna will take you to the city's most hidden corners, full of mysteries, as well as the prominent beauties of its historic center, its most important monuments, and its most evocative views. It begins with the window of Via Piella, which offers a unique view of the Moline Canal and its history - a miniature Venice hidden among the streets of Bologna.
- Continue along the characteristic streets of the ancient Jewish ghetto, where the Jews of Bologna lived from the 1500s, among historic buildings, small windows, and typical artisan shops, until reaching the two very tall towers, symbols of Bologna, visible from all over the city.
- The Torre degli Asinelli, almost 100 meters high, is the tallest original medieval tower in Italy. It was erected in 1100 by the family of the same name and offers a panoramic view over the red brick rooftops that characterize Bologna. Next to it stands the Torre della Garisenda, visibly leaning and slightly lower.
- The tour continues with a visit to the Church of S. Stefano, a group of sacred buildings forming the Complex of the Seven Churches, designed by Bishop Petronius. After a trip to the Holy Land, he wanted to reproduce the Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem here. It is the most interesting and best-preserved Romanesque monument in Bologna. Strolling through the historic center, full of colourful buildings and the famous arcades that house many kinds of shops, bars, and restaurants where you can taste typical Emilian foods, from mortadella to tortellini, you will also admire the Archiginnasio, the most beautiful building in Bologna, once home to the ancient university and today the Municipal Library. A few steps away is the House Museum of one of Bologna's most illustrious citizens, the singer-songwriter Lucio Dalla.
- Visit Piazza Maggiore, the city's most important square, beside the beautiful monumental Fountain of Neptune, known as the Giant because of its size and because it holds one of Bologna's mysteries. The famous 'Piazza Grande' by Lucio Dalla is the heart of Bologna, lined with important medieval buildings such as the Torre dell'Arengo, the Town Hall, and the Palazzo del Podestà with the Voltone del Podestà, a large dome that creates a particular acoustic effect - a kind of wireless phone to try. On the same square, step inside the Church of S. Petronio, dedicated to the town's patron saint. It is the largest brick Gothic church in the world and is known for its distinctive unfinished facade. The guided tour ends among the streets of the center and at the Mezzo Market, a covered market with numerous stands showcasing the excellence of Italian cuisine.
