The Scarlet City

Map of Bologna Vacation, Travel and Hotel Information

Some, however, prefer to appreciate Bolognese culture with a stroll down its narrow medieval streets, gazing at its red brick churches and porticos, and finally finding one of the host of hole-in-the-wall wine bars and cafés for a leisurely refreshment.

If each of Italy's many magnificent cities were jewels, Bologna would be the ruby. Yes, this city has an intimate connection to the color red for several reasons: the ruddy bricks that form its buildings, the leftist political ways of its people, and, of course its fantastic food. This is all complemented by a uniquely charming ambiance made perfect by one of Italy's most integrated architectures, complete with marble sidewalks and medieval porticos. Bologna can also boast being the great-grandfather of modern higher education, having Europe's oldest University, founded in 1088. Even today its reputation as an elite institute persists, most notably for its medical school. With such ancient intellectual roots, Bologna has attracted some of the greatest minds in history, from poets (Dante-Carducci), composers (Mozart), artists (Giorgio Morandi), to political activists, who have all helped forge Bologna's captivating and rather eccentric personality. This creative spirit extends to its excellent cuisine, which always, in some form, bears some hue of its symbolic red.

Curious about Bologna's people and culture?  Read more about Bologna >

Shopping & Festivals in Bologna

• Festival of San Luca: Each May in which an icon of San Luca is carried through the city to San Petronio Basilica.
• Medieval celebration: Last Sunday of May featuring horse races and a medieval parade.
• Faenza: in this village 36 miles southeast of Bologna, there is a long established tradition of making excellent china.