Bologne

Bologne, known in Italian as Bologna, is a city in the Emilia-Romagna region of northern Italy. It is the capital of the Metropolitan City of Bologna and a major educational, cultural, and economic center. The city sits at the crossroads of the Via Emilia and has long connected northern and central Italy, with an international airport and a major railway hub providing high‑speed links to Milan, Florence, and Rome.

Bologna's historic center is noted for its well-preserved medieval and early modern architecture. The two medieval towers, the Asinelli and Garisenda, dominate the skyline, while Piazza Maggiore houses the Basilica of San Petronio and the Palazzo d’Accursio. The University of Bologna, founded in 1088, is widely regarded as the oldest continuously operating university in the Western world, and the Archiginnasio and other historic rooms reflect the city’s scholarly heritage. The city is also known for its extensive porticoes, which provide covered walkways across the city for about 40 kilometers.

Culturally, Bologna is renowned for its cuisine, particularly meat-based dishes such as ragù alla Bolognese (often served with tagliatelle), tortellini, and mortadella. The Bologna area is a center for publishing, manufacturing, and research, with an economy sustained by education, commerce, and services. The city hosts the BolognaFiere exhibition center, a major venue for trade fairs, conferences, and international events, and serves as a significant rail and road transport hub in Italy.