Bolonga

We spent a day in Bologna before settling in for our last 2 nights in Venice. Bolonga isn't always on tour itineraries, but it should be.  Famous for its towers, churches and nearly 24 miles of porticoes, it has a well-preserved historical center and the oldest university in the world. The University of Bologna was established in 1088, and the student population has consistently made up about 25% of the city's population.

Some of the over 600 porticoes

 

Bolonga is an industrial,  financial and transport hub and is one of the wealthiest cities in Europe.  The city is also famous for its "ragu alla bolognese", a rich tomato and meat sauce for pasta and is a mecca for "foodies".

The Fountain of Neptune in the town square celebrates the fact that Bolonga was one of the first cities in Europe to offer free, fresh drinking water to its residents.

Bolonga's architecture is a stunning testament to the city's long history.  It was a fun stop.