Bologna
The excellent quality of life and its immense cultural heritage make Bologna a jewel not to be missed: after all, it is home to the oldest university in Europe, a paradise of good food, but also a city of students and nightlife. Whether you choose it for study or work reasons, you will find a place full of initiatives, green spaces and entertainment.
Living in Bologna
Bologna la Dotta (the Learned), Bologna la Grassa (the Fat), Bologna la Turrita (the Towered), but also Bologna la Rossa, the Red! Each of these names reveals one of the thousand facets that characterize this city. With a population of over 390,000, it is home to the oldest university in Europe, which draws students from all over the world. If you have made the decision to relocate and live in Bologna for employment or education purposes, the first thing to do is to look for a home. Certainly, but where? Better location near the station or the university?
The city offers a wide range of districts and locations, among them there is It Il Quadrilatero, an historical district of the city. Here is the main square, Piazza Maggiore, also known as 'Piazza Grande', as Lucio Dalla's song. It is not far from the Two Towers and is bordered by Via Rizzoli and is as busy as it is commercial. The district has been the political, economic, cultural, and spiritual heart of Bologna since its foundation. If you love history and the atmosphere of times gone by, this is the district for you.
You can admire the Gothic Basilica of San Petronio, the municipal buildings, the medieval museum, the Baroque cathedral of San Pietro and the shops of the Quadrilatero. Your goal is not just to live, but to experience Bologna? Then Via del Pratello will win you over: it is the street of bars, restaurants, in short of movida. Does strolling make you hungry? In this district you will find some of the city's best delicatessens where you can buy fresh pasta or tortellini made to perfection. Regarding markets, they are undoubtedly one of the things to do in Bologna.
You may purchase fresh produce, cheeses, salami, and fish in the historic medieval market a short distance from Piazza Maggiore. If it's aperitif time, stop by De Vino for a break. They have a wide variety of spritzes, including the unique basil and pepper version. One of the most famous restaurant is l’Antica Salsamenteria Tamburini which since 1932, it has offered the excellence of typical Emilian gastronomic products, mainly charcuterie. If you like a vibrant and alternative areas take a look to student district: it extends from Piazza Maggiore into the Jewish District. Students make up more than a quarter of the residents and it is one of the liveliest and most economical areas in Bologna.
Regarding museums a very important institution is Palazzo Poggi Museum: this very special museum is located within the university. In the various thematic rooms are exhibited ancient testimonies of physics, anatomy, botany, geology, military art, nautics, Japanese painting, but above all the anatomical waxes used for the anatomy course. European Student Museum of all the museums in Bologna, this is certainly the most original. It hosts an exhibition on the theme of the goliardic associations that characterised university life before 1968. Through the display of hundreds of objects, it traces the evolution of the figure of the student over the centuries. In order to reach every point of interest there are several means of transportation: autobus is undoubtedly the preferred method of transportation. In Bologna it is called TPER (Trasporto Passeggeri Emilia Romagna). Single tickets can be purchased on the bus (with a small surcharge) or at the small ticket offices at the stations. Also bycicle can be considered as a respectable substitute for buses. Bologna has a 120-kilometer-long bike route, making it possible to travel the entire length of the city on two wheels.
Absolutely must-see
When you arrive in Bologna, the first thing to do to get your bearings is to look for the Two Towers in Piazza di Porta Ravegnana, guardians of the city and centre of the series of streets behind them, the noble streets of San Vitale, Strada Maggiore, Santo Stefano and Castiglione. Instead if you prefer stay in touch with nature you can visit the southern district with its hills dotted with hermitages, churches, stately villas and parks, atop which is the Sanctuary of San Luca: the southern district is Bologna's green lung. Many Bolognese have decided to live here for the more relaxed pace of life. Outside the more touristy areas, Bologna hides a neighbourhood where life still flows at a slow pace, people meet in bars to talk politics and everyday life, and neighbours help each other as they once did. This is the Pratello area, crossed by the street of the same name. Not far away is Via San Felice, an elegant and refined shopping area. For shopping it’s you can’t miss Manifattura delle Arti district:It is the main artery and the realm of cheap shopping, where, among the chain shops and markets, historic shops still remain. One more unfailing district to visit is The old Jewish ghetto nearby is lined with narrow alleys in which to stroll.
For many it is nothing more than a difficult neighbourhood, but Bolognina has managed to turn its criticality into the basis of its rebirth. Change is constant here. The spirit of the neighbourhood is more alive than ever, and you can feel it as you stroll among the clubs, restaurant tables, markets, trendy bars and museums.
You certainly cannot go shopping in Bologna and leave out the Quadrilatero d'Oro. It is located right in the centre and comprises Via Rizzoli, Via Farini, Via D'Azeglio and Via Castiglione. Of these, the most elegant (and also the one with the most expensive shops) is Via d'Azeglio.
The flea market inPiazza VIII Agosto is a place not to be missed. It is huge and offers a wide variety of products, from ornaments and souvenirs to second-hand clothes and items for collectors.
Another very interesting market is the Mercato delle Erbe, which dates back to the last century and where you can find everything.
Regarding the nightlife you have to know that Bologna is considered the most liberal and tolerant city in Italy. Among the best places to visit, we would first of all mention 'Il Cassero'. This is a cultural centre and symbol of the gay and lesbian community where parties and special events are organised. A few steps from the two towers, the bar Il Barattolo, perfect for aperitifs, often organises events that it publicises on its Facebook page.
Study in Bologna
The University of Bologna, founded in 1088, is considered one of the most traditional universities in Italy and Europe. It was also one of the first universities to admit female lecturers since the 12th century, changing old prejudices as Europe debated the issue of female culture.
Throughout its history it has received and welcomed illustrious personalities such as Pico della Mirandola, Erasmus of Rotterdam and Niccolò Copernicus.
This university boasts nine centuries of history in which it has developed research as one of its priority activities, making it one of the benchmarks of scientific research in Europe.
We can say without fear of contradiction that Bologna can be named one of the best cities for students.
The different faculties are mainly clustered in the north-eastern quadrant of the city (the so-called university district), but libraries and places to study can be found almost everywhere.
As Bologna is not a very large city, getting around the centre on foot or by bicycle is easy and you can reach your destination in a few minutes.
Finding a house is not difficult. There is some student accommodation owned by the university, but mostly private houses rented out to students, with costs depending on the area chosen, and which are usually quite affordable.
Add to this the social life, the possibility of making international friends and the excellent cuisine and it is easy to see why this city can be described as 'student-friendly'.
The neighborhoods of Bologna
Where to eat in Bologna
The culinary tradition of this city is so important that it has earned the nickname 'la Grassa'. It is therefore worth checking whether this nickname is really deserved.
The best restaurant in the centre of Bologna is Da Nello. The walls are plastered with photos of celebrities and VIPs who come to the restaurant. The dishes on offer are those of the Romagna tradition.
Excellent cuisine in a homely atmosphere also at the trattoria della Gigina. It starts with a special dish, the mortadella mousse topped with sauce and balsamic jelly, and then returns to traditional dishes such as the boiled meat trolley.
Da Fantoni is a trattoria specialising in tortelloni, lasagne and grilled meats, with a homely atmosphere, perhaps too much so: it seems that a cook used to work there and would occasionally come out to insult customers...
To eat with a breathtaking view of the hills, it is worth making a trip to Osteria del Nonno, which offers tigelle, crescentine and homemade desserts.
And we close with I Portici, which has earned 1 Michelin star. The chef, Gianluca Renzi, uses local products while revisiting typical dishes.
Apartments in Bologna
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