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| The University of Bologna makes up most of the city center. Not surprisingly, it's one of the most popular attractions in the city. / Courtesy of Rachel Sang-hee Han |
By Rachel Sang-hee Han
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Among the many prestigious universities in Europe, the University of Bologna is where the history of such institutions all began. It may not be the best in the world, considering the fact that it ranked 188th in the world according to the QS World University Rankings, but it is the oldest of its kind in the western world at the age of 926 years old. (Still, the University if Bologna is the highest-ranking school in Italy.) In fact, the term "university" was created at the time the university was founded.
Even if you don't know the exact facts and numbers, you can easily guess that the school is in fact very old: the arcades, the rustic and even antique looking buildings, the long hallways that connect classrooms and the maze-like structures that include classrooms, gardens, museums and libraries. But on the other hand, it's also where you can find the youngest and hippest Italians in the country.
Bologna is the largest city of the Emilia-Romagna region in Italy and because it's quite far from the sea and they don't have much to use as a touristic attraction, they got busy with what they already have: manpower. Some Italians, mostly in the south, tend to be a bit more ignorant when it comes to tourists: English speaking is not a given, waiters can sometimes be unfriendly and streets can get a little too messy. But the region, with Bologna and its honorable school in the center of everything, realized their shortcomings and managed to boost up the tourism with English-speaking, more open-minded and friendlier citizens, various events held by schools, both public and private organizations and a much organized and cleaner environment.
Walking along the school walls and the arcades is indeed an experience. The school opens its doors to the public to share its history and expertise on various subjects, including art, natural history, chemistry and geography. One of my personal favorites is the Museo di Palazzo Poggi, or the Palazzo Poggi Museum. It is currently the headquarters of the university and was the first public institute dedicated to scientific research and houses the history of science in Italy from the 18th century.
A dynamic culture under one roof
The arcades in Bologna are impressive. They are called porticos and stretch out to 45 kilometers throughout the city and also connects schools buildings, shrines, public and even private buildings. It's a quite bizarre sight since the arcades are obviously very old, some dirty and dark, but the pillars and walls near the university are very heavily decorated by posters, signs and graffiti.
Like the young and dynamic students flocking the streets of Bologna, the food scene is also quick and practical.
The aperitivo culture exists in most Italian cities. It normally means a light alcoholic drink before a meal but it also refers to a nice spread of appetizers. When it comes to such a light, or heavy depending on the number of plates you have, aperitivo, Bologna is the place to be.
Aside from the famous lasagna, tortellini and Bolognese sauce, many cafes and bars offer such aperitivos, which can also be a smart choice for travelers who don't want to spend too much money on every single meal.
The rules are simple: you enter, take a seat and order any drink. As soon as you get your drink, you can go to the buffet bar and bring as much as you like. The snacks range from simple pasta dishes, sandwiches, salads, fruits and other easy finger foods. Some places tend to have quite saltier choices, which I believe is a smart move to make customers order more drinks. I was one of them.
Our favorite destinations
Caffe Zamboni: one of the most well known cafes that offer a hearty selection of aperitivo. It's easy to find and very close to the city center. The brunch buffet starts from noon to 3 p.m., and the evening buffet from 6 p.m. For more information, visit www.caffezamboni.it.
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| Among the many museums around the city, Palazzo Poggi Museum is a common favorite. The museum offers a nice collection of both old and new artworks. |
Palazzo Poggi Museum: Originally Bologna's Institute of Science, the museum was and still is the key player of the University of Bologna. It houses an extensive collection of artifacts, paintings, scientific equipment, books, maps and transcripts ranging from various subjects including military architecture, geography, physics, anatomy to chemistry. The museum is also the home of a wax model called Venerina used for anatomy studies. It was made by a sculptor Celemente Susini who was praised for "the beauty which he gave to the most revolting things." Indeed, it was very real yet artistic. For more information, visit www.museopalazzopoggi.unibo.it.
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| The arcades or porticos in Bologna connect buildings around the city, making it feel like you are inside a fortress. The ones that are connected to the schools offer a unique feel, covered in posters and graffiti. |
Rachel Sang-hee Han is a former staff reporter at The Korea Times and former editor at CNN Travel. She lives in Germany and runs a travel blog at rachelsanghee.com
