![[4K] Bologna Italy Walking Tour | An Italy Tour Through The Streets of Bologna (Italy VLOG)](https://www.cfood.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/1603683905_maxresdefault.jpg "[4K] Bologna Italy Walking Tour | An Italy Tour Through The Streets of Bologna (Italy VLOG)")
In this Italy VLOG, we take an Italy tour with a walk through Bologna. Bologna is a northern Italian town offers the traveler art, history and a gastronomy as varied as it is tasty.
Capital of the Emilia-Romagna region, it can boast of the second largest medieval old town in Europe, as well as being one of the best preserved historical cities.
1. Piazza Maggiore
The main square you see in Bologna is 115 meters long by 60 meters wide, and was developed in the 13th century with the intention of having a large market to meet the needs of its inhabitants. It is surrounded by some of the most representative buildings to visit in Bologna and every July it hosts a film festival organized by the Cineteca, which with 3,000 seats makes it one of the largest outdoor cinemas in the nation.
2. Basilica of St. Petronius
It dominates the aforementioned Plaza Mayor and is the fifth largest church in the world, measuring 132 meters long by 60 meters wide, as well as an imposing dome of 45 meters. Dedicated to St. Petronius, this sanctuary that you see in Bologna was started in 1309, with the intention of surpassing in size the Basilica of St. Peter in Rome, but this project was blocked by the Pope. It houses the remains of Elisa Bonaparte, Napoleon’s sister.
3. Towers of Bologna
They were built by the richest families of the metropolis between the 12th and 13th centuries as a symbol of power. Today, those of Garisenda and Asinelli are the two most famous still standing to be seen in Bologna. The first is 48 meters long and was named by Dante in the ‘Divine Comedy’ and some of its rhymes. The Asinelli, on the other hand, is almost 98 meters high and became the property of the city in the 14th century, being used as a fortress and later as a prison.
4. Sanctuary of Our Lady of St. Luca
Located on the Colle della Guardia, a hill surrounded by woods southwest of the historical center, to which it connects through a porticoed walk of nearly 700 arches, it venerates the icon of the virgin with the child, known as San Luca. One of the most charming places to visit in Bologna offers privileged views and is a pilgrimage point for many faithful because of the legend of the ‘miracle of the rain’, according to which a procession carrying the effigy stopped the spring rains that damaged the crops.
5. Palazzos of Bologna
Taking a walk to see these symbolic buildings up close is one of the best things to do in Bologna at any time of the year:
-Palazzo del Podestá: dates back to 1200 and is located in Piazza Maggiore It was the seat of the podestà, the first magistrate of the cities of northern and central Italy, as well as its officials.
-Palazzo Re Enzo: extension of the so-called Podestà, built in 1245 and also known as Palatium Novum.
-Palazzo Comunale: headquarters of the Collezioni Comunali d’Arte di Bologna, it was built in 1290 and rebuilt in 1425 after a fire. One of the interesting things that you can see in Bologna is inside: a marble stone that informs about the ancient units of measurement used in the city.
-Palazzo dei Notai: used to be the headquarters of the Society of Notaries and is now one of the most elegant palaces to visit in Bologna.
-Palazzo Poggi Museum: with frescoes by famous painters, it houses the gallery of the same name.
-Palazzo dei Banchi: the Palazzo dei Banchi is another historic building to visit in Bologna, where currency exchange operations used to take place.
-Palazzo Pepoli: currently houses the Museum of the History of Bologna, dedicated to the history, culture and transformations that the municipality has undergone over the years.
-Palazzo Bolognini Amorini Salina: of Renaissance architecture, it is located in Piazza Santo Stefano, and is notable for its circular niches with busts on the facade.
-Palazzo Albergati: divided into several parts and located in via Saragozza, it belonged to the family of the same surname and houses an art gallery with temporary exhibitions.
The Mercato di Mezzo area is a maze of narrow streets with stalls selling vegetables, meat and fish, as well as stores selling local products that are not lacking in the Bolognese pantry, such as fresh and dry pasta, cheese, wine or sausages.
If you prefer a more ‘gourmet’ space, with food kiosks, don’t forget to visit the Mercato Delle Erbe.
Freestyle Walking takes you on city walks or a virtual walking tour of different cities around the world. This unique travel vlog allows you to take a 4K walk so you can feel like you’re there yourself taking a city tour.