Bologna: a weekend of satisfied stomach
The good thing about the city is that its center is relatively small, which makes it the perfect weekend getaway ; Although it has tourism throughout the year, it seems that the region of the Emilia Romagna it still remains a bit virgin to the apocalypse of touristification, which is to be appreciated, since that makes it easier for you to feel like one of the others, and it shows both in your stay and in your pocket.
In the Plaza Mayor is the nerve center, whose prominence is, without a doubt, for the Basilica of San Petronio , the fifth largest church in the world, which has an imposing facade that remains incomplete and makes it even more intriguing.
Curious fact : inside is the Cassini meridian , the longest in the world, with a length of almost 67 meters, on which you can see the different signs of the zodiac and constellations. However, if you want to take a photo inside, although admission is free, you can't escape paying the 2-euro fee with its corresponding orange bracelet.
Basilica of San Petronio
Essential of course are the towers, which were built in 1160. The only one that can be visited today is the Torre degli Asinelli , 97.6 meters high and with an inclination of 1.3 meters. Of course, its 498 irregular and wooden steps are not suitable for travelers with vertigo, but the views of the city are amazing from that height.
Legend has it that during the 12th century the rich families of the area got into a fight to see who would build the tallest tower to show their influence and power, and from there, Bologna it became a city of skyscrapers in the middle of the medieval era, although now only a very few remain.
Bologna is essentially a university town since 1088 , making it one of the oldest universities in the West, and that shows a lot. Young atmosphere, Erasmus and many students (it has nearly 100,000 students). But it is also a city full of culture, and with surprising showrooms and antique shops.
Sanctuary of San Luca
you can't miss ONO Art in via Santa Margherita, where you can find a curator with a lot of experience in fairs and large exhibitions and photographs of Clash, Marilyn Monroe , monographs dedicated to Dennis Hopper or Kurt Cobain. Music lovers and movie buffs, this is your place.
Also, Bologna has nothing to envy to Venice , since in ancient times it was surrounded by canals despite not having a sea. Currently, only one has survived, hidden in a small street north of the city and that you can see through the Finestrella di Via Piella , a small window that opens with a special key and is embedded in the retaining wall of the gallery of arches on the street.
Something that fascinates when you visit the city is that it is full of arcades. Turns out it's the city with the most arcades in the world , and it even has the longest arcade, with exactly 666 arches and which runs through the city to the Sanctuary of San Luca , on the outskirts. A walk that is worth it, since the Basilica is beautiful and you can see a complete panoramic view of Bologna and its surroundings.
The best tortellini are found at Paolo Atti e Figli
Now yes, let's go to the important thing, that we come here to eat, and to eat very well. From the classic tagliatelle to ragu , which no matter how hard we try, is not minced meat with tomato nor is it our Bolognese sauce "with things", going through the tortellini. Because if, Bologna is the land of tortellini ; the best? At Paolo Atti e Figli on Via Caprarie, you buy them by weight and you can also take them in your suitcase ready to eat at home.
As for the taglietelle, to eat the authentic one, you have to do math, since its preparation and size are very specific; each one is based on the 12,270 part of the height of the Torre degli Asinelli and in addition, they have to measure 8 mm when they are well cooked. And of course, that's what makes them unique. And to eat them, what better way than to accompany them with a good ragout at Osteria dell'Orsa.
But If there is something that stands out in Bolognese gastronomy, it is its mortadella , a sausage of enormous size that will make it impossible not to lick your fingers when passing through each and every one of the windows of its delicatessens. If you want to buy an authentic one, by weight, do it at **Salumeria Simoni.**
The snack time is the favorite part of the day for Italians, at ** Mercato delle Erbe ** you can combine a very cold Spritz with market food. And in Ruggin , meet the most original coasters in the area, with the faces of Kim Jong Un or Silvio Berlusconi himself, in addition to enjoying delicious hamburgers and signature cocktails, with a very cozy atmosphere and good music.
If it is your first time in Italy, do not hesitate, Bologna is the perfect city to start . From there, you run the risk of falling madly in love with each and every one of its qualities.
Mercato delle Erbe, the ideal place for aperitif time