Bologna is located in the Emilia Romagna region of Northern Italy, above Tuscany and Marche. The city is landlocked but not far from the Adriatic sea.
Bologna originated as an Etruscan town in 6 B.C., then was taken over by the Gauls before succumbing to the Roman Empire. From the 12th century on, Bologna became an important player in European politics.
Bologna is famous for its university, which was the first of its kind in Europe. Founded in the 12th century, L'Universita di Bologna brought scholars from all over the continent and still holds a prominent position amongst Italian schools of higher learning.
Bologna's two towers are a symbol of the city and remnants of a time when noblemen fought to have the tallest house in the neighborhood. Other landmarks include the Basilica of San Petronio, the Neptune Fountain in the main square or Piazza Maggiore and the Morandi museum.
Bologna has long been known as "la grassa," or "the fat" for its traditional tagliatelle, tortellini and ragu Bolognese. The city is famous for its cured pork products including mortadella, the original baloney (see Resources).
Bologna is a small city that is easy to navigate wherever you might stay. Accommodations include youth hostels, bed and breakfast and hotels of various stripes (see Resources).
