Visit Bologna, "Red"

EUROPE BY TRAIN (3/5) - With InterRail pass and to (re-) discover the old continent by train, we step all this week in several relatively far from the tourist cities. And yet ...

Terminus: Central Bologna

7th Italian city in terms of population, Bologna, rich in exciting architectural heritage, not least has a vitality that jumps out of the visitor. The 80,000 students who inhabit (approximately 400,000 inhabitants), there are certainly no strangers. They extend a legacy that the city did not fail to recall the origin: the presence within the walls of the oldest university in the Western world (1088).

Landed on the quays of the station towards Piazza Maggiore (about 20 minutes walk), the heart of a city whose center runs most easily on foot or by bike. What first strikes you is the profusion of arcades lining the streets. They make strolling all the more enjoyable. Bologna, "Red", owes its nickname to the color of the brick of its buildings as its political anchor left. Welcome Bologna, tourist office of the city, offers a circuit (three hours according to the brochure, both can be more than enough) to explore the most important buildings of the city. Most importantly, it will let you feel the atmosphere of these small steep streets and colorful.


Get lost in the maze of the old Jewish ghetto, push the door of the shops of Via dell'Indipendenza, and those, more chic, the via dell'Archiginnasio. Enter also in the splendid Basilica of San Petronio (and its extraordinary sundial), look up (or climb it, 498 steps all the same!) To the towers Asinelli and Garisenda. Highest among twenty buildings so. The city had a hundred in the Middle Ages. He still wander Quadrilatero district of the old city market and deli stalls, fruit and vegetables. Bologna "the dotta" (scholarly) is Bologna "the grassa" (fat). Remember also to check out the rich palace, transformed, as in 3 of the Via Garibaldi, in apartment building, also in cultural place.

If you had the desire to join the visit organized daily by the tourist office (2:00, 13 euros to our way), just know that it will please the most avid primarily of historical and heritage landmarks.

At the cocktail hour, join the Bolognese under the arcades, seated to the many cafes and restaurants. For the least expensive addresses, aim the student quarter, along the via della Moline, Belle Arti, Zamboni and Piazza Verdi.

The magic moment

Difficult to resist the atmosphere of the Piazza San Stefano. An air of village, protected from traffic, bordered by arcades in the heart of the city. Time to enjoy a local wine. Rather a beer? So, still on the square, choose from the impressive collection of La Bottega della Birra (19B Strada Magiore).

Renowned for its ice cream, Bologna has many gelaterias we did - despite our good will - not all be tested. However, enter without fear in Cremeria funivia (Via Porrettana 158 or Piazza Cavour 1). The company delivers Carpigiani same courses over several days to learn the art of gelato.

Good to know

If you do not want to upset a pure strain Bolognese, do not talk him sphaghettis bolognese. First because Bolognese in question is called ragu rather, is eaten with tagliatelle, and prepared without tomato sauce.

Have fun

The tourist office offers to learn to make your own pasta 3 hours + tasting + cookbook = 93 euros.

Break free

By train Bologna is located one hour from Milan, Venice two hours, and three hours from Rome.