LOFAR
magnetism
key science project Workshop
Bologna 24-25th
November 2011
Things to do in
Bologna
Obviously, more than two days are needed to visit Bologna, which is one of the
most beautiful cities in Italy.
Here are my suggestions, that is what I enjoyed the most when I was
here as a "tourist".
One of the features of Bologna are
the portici
(arcades), there are almost 38 km of arcades in the center,
which make possible to walk
for long distances sheltered from the rain or the hot summer sun. The
warm colours of the ancient buildings produce elegant perspectives,
both in the sunshine and in the winter grey lights.
The heart of the city is Piazza Maggiore.
The square is surrounded by the Palazzo dei Notai, the Palazzo
d'Accursio, the Palazzo del Podestà and the Basilica of San Petronio.
The Basilica of San Petronio hosts
a
meridian
line inlaid in the paving of the left aisle. It was calculated and
designed by the famous astronomer Giovanni Domenico Cassini, who was teaching
astronomy at the University: at 66.8 meters it is the longest sundial
in the world, following measurements that were for the time uniquely
precise
Under the Palazzo del Podestà, there is the
intersection of two arcades, the so-called
"voltone del Podestà". Here you can try a famous game "i quattro cantoni": if you whisper
at
one of the four corners, your voice will be clearly heard at the
opposite one!
My favourite spot is the 
quieter and
more relaxing square Piazza Santo
Stefano,
You can get there from
Piazza
Maggiore to the west, trough via Clavature.
You can visit here the Basilica di Santo Stefano, a
complex of religious edifices, locally known as Sette chiese ("Seven Churches").
Bologna is known as:” La dotta, la
grassa e la turrita”.
La Dotta (the learned one): because it hosts
one
of the oldest University
in the world. In the nineteenth century a committee of historians, led
by Giosuè Carducci,
attributed the birth of the University to the year 1088.
La Grassa (the fat one): for its superb
cuisine which is also extremely nutrient!
La Turrita (the one with many towers): because
in the middle age
rich people built towers to demonstrate their economic superiority and
to monitor the city from the top.
Taking into account these
nicknames, there are three things you cannot miss!
Tak
e a walk in the heart of
the university area (via Zamboni, largo Respighi, via delle Moline).
Here you can feel day and night a lively and cheerful atmosphere which
makes
Bologna a very charming city. You will find any kind of facility
for students but also a lot of nightlife places: pub, restaurant, take
away, lounge bar, live cafè, "piadinerie".
The ancient main
building of the University of Bologna, the Archiginnasio, which currently
houses the Archiginnasio Communal Library,
is
in
Piazza
Galvani
1.
You
can
reach
it
from
Piazza Maggiore,
going through Via
dell'Archiginnasio.
Obviously, you can't miss the two most prominent towers in Bologna,
also called the Two Towers, which are the landmark of the city.
The taller one is called the Asinelli
while the smaller but
more leaning tower is called the Garisenda.
Their
names
derive
from
the
families
which
are
traditionally
credited
for
their
construction
between
1109
and 1119.
At least once, you should try the local specialities: tagliatelle al
ragù,
lasagne, tortellini, gnocco fritto,
mortadella, in
one of the typical
trattorie bolognesi. I couldn't find an exaustive list of
trattorie but you will come accross them easily wandering around in the
streets
of the center.
If you are planning a longer stay,
during
the week-end, you could visit the montagnola
market.
Located in Piazza VIII Agosto and across the street in Montagnola Park,
this market features hundreds of vendors selling everything from shoes,
handbags, clothes, kitchen items, and curtains. You will also find a
number of stands selling vintage clothing, old coats, blue jeans and
second-hand clothes.
You will enjoy a very colorful and lively atmosphere, but don't forget
to be always cautious.
Otherwise, you could reach the 
Santuario di San Luca trough
the longest portico in the world.
This arcade climbs to the top of Monte della Guardia on the outskirts
of Bologna from which the circular church guards the
city. Beginning at Porta
Saragozza, Bologna’s south-western gate, the portico’s 650
arches stretch for over 3.5 km.
From the top of the hill you will enjoy a beautiful view.