Bologna

Bologna is a historic city with about 380,000 inhabitants. Although it is known and loved by all Italians, is less well known among foreign visitors. Is the capital and the largest city in the Emilia-Romagna region and is a wonderful city in northern Italy, is famous for the oldest university in the Western world. Is much loved for its architecture, especially its palette of red brick, burnt orange and warm yellow. The historic center is extended, characterized by miles and miles of attractive covered walkways, known as "arcades", and is one of the best preserved in Europe. Bologna is the home of the oldest university of the Europe, which dates back to the 11th century, and a significant part of its population is made up of college students off-site.

The habitants of Bologna are very courteous and welcoming, and rightly proud of their city. The strategic location of the city has profoundly shaped his story, making Bologna one of the most beautiful places on earth. Inhabited since the tenth century BC, during the iron age, was fortified by the Celts and became a municipality under the Romans. The presence throughout the centuries of the Huns, the Goths, the Lombards, the Carolingians, Austria and France, have left traces that are still visible in the city today. Bologna has always been in the struggle for freedom in the balance between the domination of empires, kingdoms, the Church State and municipal autonomy. Bologna was governed by the rule of two families, Pepoli and Bentivoglio, in addition to being a papal fief. It 'was then a city of Guelph, but his soul belonged to the Ghibellines. Bologna was one of the first cities in the world that has passed a bill to abolish slavery: the Liber Paradisus, in 1256. This has stimulated a lively environment capable of accepting the Alma Mater, the oldest university in the world. It was founded in 1088 and its reputation attracts students from all over the world. Bologna is also home to the likes of Padre Martini, a complex and important player in European music of the thirteenth century. Composer and teacher of counterpoint, Martini had among his students Johann Christian Bach (son of JS Bach) and the young WA Mozart. During the IXX century personalities such as Rossini, Verdi, Brahms, Wagner, Liszt, Puccini and came into contact with the Philharmonic Academy. The music is breathed in every corner of the city, not only in the Municipal Theatre (Opera House) or the Mozart Youth Orchestra, founded and directed by Claudio Abbado, but also in clubs and taverns where he played regularly, such as the live jazz, as well as in numerous concerts in the open air, the Conservatory, the School of Opera and hundreds of musical associations operating in the area. In addition, the city offers an infinite number of paths to discover. The path of the water channels evokes the time when Bologna looked like a little Venice. The churches are full of symbolism and masterpieces, created by various artistic movements that fulfilled his religious life. Due to its history and vitality, Bologna still retains traces of great historical figures, not only in the field of music, but also with regard to science, politics, art and architecture. Scientists like Galvani and Marconi, painters and artists such as Morandi, Guido Reni, Guercino, Carracci, Leonardo (one of the legends on the Mona Lisa says that Bologna was the place where he painted his famous masterpiece), Giotto (there was a chapel in Piazza XX Settembre entirely painted with a fresco by Giotto which was destroyed when Bologna was fighting against the Pope), Cassini (who made the sundial longest in the world, which is now located inside the Basilica of San Petronio), Michelangelo (on the arch in the Basilica of St. Dominic you can find his sculpture of an angel holding a candlestick), Napoleon (who reshaped the urban plan of the city), Charles V (who was crowned emperor in the basilica of S . Petronio).

Taken from: http://casaeditriceonline.it/