The capital of the Emilia-Romagna region is one of the most popular Italian cities in the world, thanks to its historical and cultural heritage.
![Panorama | Bologna](https://www.appenninica-mtb.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Drone_003-Bologna_2023-Wildlab-scaled.jpg)
WHAT TO VISIT
Must-see is Piazza Maggiore, in the heart of Bologna, one of the locals’ favourite spots. This square is overlooked by two relevant buildings: Palazzo d’Accursio, headquarters of the City Hall and home of the Collezioni Comunali Art Collections, and the San Petronio Cathedral, where the world’s largest sundial is preserved. Palazzo d’Accursio also hosts the famous Clock Tower and its massive mechanical clock, marking the time in the city since 1444. Another important monument is the Neptune’s Foutain, crafted by the Flemish sculptor Giambologna.
While wandering in the heart of Bologna, it happens to stumble upon further hidden gems. Among those is the San Domenico Church, hosting a marble ark where the San Domenico’s body remains are guarded, as well as some sculptures made by a young Michelangelo.
On a higher perspective, the Two Towers dominate Bologna’s skyline and represent a further symbol of the city. Built in the Middle Age as defensive lookout, the Asinelli and the Garisenda Towers offer spectacular overviews of the city.
Another majestic view of Bologna can be found on the Colle della Guardia, where the San Luca Sanctuary is located. Popular pilgrimage destinations among locals, it is connected to the city centre through Porta Saragozza and the Meloncello Arch: a 4 km-long colonnade worth being named UNESCO World Heritage Site.
![Fontana del Nettuno | Piazza Maggiore](https://www.appenninica-mtb.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Nettuno_026-Bologna_2009-©Meridiana-scaled.jpg)
LOCAL TASTES AND FLAVOURS
Bologna’s cuisine is definitely one of the features that make this city so popular in the world. Its fresh egg pasta recipes based on eggs, flour, water and pasta roller have been handed down for centuries, and still give life to some of the most appreciated flavours of the area such as tortellini, tagliatelle and lasagna. Worldwide renowned are the “Spaghetti Bolognese”, with the typical meat ragù topping.
Among Bologna’s flagship dishes, tortellini are the most popular: a pasta sheet filled with minced meat, sealed by overlapping the two corners. They are usually served with broth to distinguish them from the larger tortelloni, which are paired with butter- or tomato-based sauces, or anything else according to each own taste.
Besides pasta, mortadella is also very appreciated: it’s a sausage made from pure pork in a cylindrical or oval shape, stuffed with peppercorns grains. Mortadella di Bologna has been a PGI (Protected Geographical Identification) product since 1998.
HISTORY
The Bologna area has been inhabited since the 9th century B.C. and was also an important hub during the Roman Empire. However, Bologna’s rise occurred in the Middle Ages, between the late 10th and early 11th centuries, when it repopulated and grew an important cultural and political ferment that led in 1088 to the founding of the University. This establishment played the role of one of the world’s leading institutions for many centuries, so much so that it led to the name “Bologna, la dotta”, Bologna, the educated city.
From 1530 Bologna was then incorporated into the Papal States until its admission into the Italian Kingdom in 1859. During World War II, the importance of its railway hub made it a sensitive target, and repeated bombing raids took place from July 1943 until the liberation, by the Partisans troops, on April 21, 1945. Bologna is recognized as one of the cities where the Partisan resistance was the most tenacious.
After World War II, the name of Bologna is linked to one of the most tragic moments in recent Italian history: the Bologna Massacre of August 2, 1980. A bomb exploded in a train station waiting area, killing 85 people and injuring more than 200, one of the most serious terroristic attacks to ever occur in Italy.
![Enogastronomia | Bologna](https://www.appenninica-mtb.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Food_Tagliatelle_005-Bologna_2003-©Bologna-Welcome-scaled.jpg)
THE CHARACTER
There are many notable personalities linked to the city of Bologna, which attracted important celebrities throughout its history thanks to its cultural and academic life.
Among those is the songwriter, composer and poly-instrumentalist Lucio Dalla, born on March 4th, 1943: a date that later on became one of his most appreciated songs. After his early days in the 1960s, Dalla became popular for songs that are now part of the national music history, such as “Caruso”, “Piazza Grande”, “L’Anno che verrà”, and “Anna e Marco”. Given his passion for sports, Dalla even wrote a song, “Nuvolari”, for the Italian Formula One pilot Tazio Nuvolari.
THE BEST MTB ROUTE
Just outside Bologna, its hills are a great setting for mountain biking. Starting from the city center, it is possible to ride on the bicycle path along the Reno Canal to reach Casalecchio sul Reno, with its many scenic spots such as the Ponte della Pace and the Chiusa di Casalecchio. From here the trails head in different directions: towards the Talon Park and the climb up to the San Luca ascent on the opposite side, or towards the Via degli Dei hike course.
When choosing the latest option, a charming point of interest is Palazzo De’ Rossi. After this, the crossing of the Reno river on the Ponte di Vizzano lead to the Eremo di Tizzano, in an area with plenty of farms and wineries.
![Portico_Certosa_003 - Bologna_2022 - ©Lorenzo Burlando](https://www.appenninica-mtb.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Portico_Certosa_003-Bologna_2022-©Lorenzo-Burlando-scaled.jpg)
THE NOT-TO- MISS EVENT
Boasting a tradition of great events, in recent years Bologna stepped up even more regarding the organization of sport events. On June 30th, the San Luca climb hosted the finish line of the Tour de France 2024 second stage, in the first ever Italian start of the Grand Boucle. Later on in the year, from September 9 to 15, Bologna will host the group stage of the Davis Cup, the most important tennis tournament for Nations.
The cultural and academic scene is livened up by several music and film festivals, mostly happening in the summer season.
HOW TO GET THERE
Given its central position, Bologna is a key Italian hub and can be easily reached in different ways.
BY PLANE:
Guglielmo Marconi Airport is only 6 km from the city center and is well connected to the A1, A13 and A14 highways.
BY TRAIN:
Bologna train station is well linked with both regional and national trains, including high-speed ones. Florence can be reached in 40 minutes, Milan in 60 minutes, Rome, Naples and Turin in just over two hours.
![San Luca_002 - Bologna_2019 - ©Wildlab-min](https://www.appenninica-mtb.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/San-Luca_002-Bologna_2019-©Wildlab-min-scaled.jpg)
BOLOGNA E APPENNINICA MTB STAGE RACE
Prologue: Bologna-San Luca
Appenninica MTB Stage Race 2024
Tappa 1: Bologna – Loiano