What to see in Bologna.
Bologna's old city centre is ideal for walking as the arched walkways offer some respite from the heat of summer. This central piazza is full of life with many locals gathering to chat and pass the time, you can listen to musicians or watch the street performers from one of the many cafés or bars that surround the edges. These bars kick off long into the night as well. Or, you can just sit and admire the renaissance buildings and the sun reflecting off the ornate façades.
The centre piece of this square is the famous Fontana del Nettuno, Fountain of Neptune, built in 1566 and receives mixed reactions from onlookers due to its rather suggestive mermaids and Neptune's, um, stance. The Frenchman, Jean Boulogne de Douai who sculpted it earned the moniker Giambologna. It serves as a popular meeting place for locals and tourists.
Not trying to go one-up on Pisa but Bologna has 2 leaning towers. Originally the wealthy families of Bologna had over 200 towers built during the mediaeval period of my-tower-is-bigger-than-your-tower, but wars, time and developments as well as bad subsoils has lead to a decrease in their number.
Torre degli Asinelli
Not for the faint hearted, claustrophobic or vertigo sufferers. The 498 steps to the top get narrower and as the 100m tower is also leaning by 1.4m it all adds to the tension. However for those that do make it to the top the views over the rooftops of the city are stunning. Open daily 09:00-18:00.
Garisenda
This is the shorter one at only 49m high but has a more extreme lean of 3m and is deemed too unstable to be opened to the public.
This is the home of the National art Gallery, containing mostly renaissance works by Bolognese artists. If you are a devotee of Raphael you can view the Ecstasy of St Cecelia and take in El Greco's version of the Last supper.
In here you will find the largest Egyptian collection in Italy, with more impressive artefacts than in the Vatican. Other items of note are iron age examples of daily objects, Etruscan and Roman relics as well as casts and copies of notable Greek sculptures. The museum is also home to a 1500yr old bronze jar. Opening hours are 09:00-18:30 Tuesday-Saturday, 10:00-18:30 Sunday.
Via Zamboni
The University of Bologna is Europe's oldest university at 900 years, begun in 1088, and attracts students from all over the world. Bologna used to be a hotbed of student activism during the 70's, this still continues today but with less regularity. The area surrounding the university, like much of Bologna, has developed an energetic culture of bars, cafes, restaurants and clubs.
Welcome to the home of Ferrari, Maserati, Pavarotti and of course balsamic vinegar. Quite a combination and only 30mins from Bologna by bus. An extremely affluent town due in part to its main exports. The Ferrari factory is in the township of Maranello, 17km south of Modena for any interested petrolheads. Take the tour of Galleria Ferrari, Via Dino Ferrari 43 for around €10.