About Bologna

Bologna is the administrative centre of the Emilia Romagna region, passageway between North and South of Italy.

The origins of Bologna can be traced right back to the Bronze Age. Around three thousand years ago, a population of unknown origin settled in the Appenine region. During the Iron Age, this population developed its own authentic culture and came to be known as the Villanovian Civilization.

In the sixth century B.C., the settlement of villages was eventually surrounded by the Etruscans (who brought their culture with them) and the area was transformed into the wealthy and prosperous Felsina. The population here was a peace-loving one, with an interest in both crafts and commerce. In around 350 B.C., Felsina found itself incapable of repelling a rash attack by the Galli Boi who had reached the surrounding plains: it is said that the name Bologna is derived from the word Boi or bona which means ‘city’ in the Celt language. It was only after two hundred years of Celt domination that they were finally defeated in battle by the Romans.

Bononia (as it was then called) became a Roman colony. In 187 B.C., the Roman Consul Marco Emilio Lepido had the Via Emilia constructed, thus giving the city an important position in the centre of Peninsula Italy’s road network. During the Roman period, Bononia re-acquired some of its lost splendor.

The fall of the Roman Empire also brought along the decline of Bononia. In 431 A.D., the city regained a semblance of its former vitality, mainly due to the deeds of Bishop Petronio who reinforced the fortifications, restored the public buildings, and initiated the construction of the Basilica di Santo Stefano. His actions left such an imprint on Bologna’s history that nine hundred years later, the splendid Basilica di San Petronio was built in his honour on the Piazza Maggiore.

During the Middle age the city became a free city-state which reached the apex of his power in 1249, with the victorious battle of Fossalta, in which Enzo, son of the emperor Federico II was taken captive. He was incarcerated until his death in a palace which bears his name to this day: Palazzo Re Enzo.

In 1088, the first University of the world rose inside the walls of Bologna.

Bologna was a hotly contested city. It was sought after by the Church, by the Imperial powers, and by rich and powerful members of the nobility. There were many reasons for this, not least its strategic geographical location, the economic and cultural benefits brought around by the presence of the University and its flourishing markets which had been revitalised because of fervent activity on the part of the Corporazioni delle Arti (Coporation of the Arts).

After the alternance of various Signorie (or ‘nobilities’) and struggles, in XVI century Bologna felt under the orbit of the power of the Papal State. In the following years, various major events took place: in 1530, Carlo V was crowned Emperor in the San Petronio Basilica, and in 1542, Bologna hosted several sessions of the Trento Council. Various important institutions were transformed because of the papal domination e.g., the
University came to be housed inside the Archiginnasio, in order for its autonomy not to be limited.

Bologna was the papal state’s ‘second city’ (after Rome), and in the nineteenth century, it became involved in a series of historical events which changed the face of Europe. In the Napoleonic period, it was at first the capital of the Cispadana Republic and then, it left the papal state to become part of the Cisalpina Republic. During the Restoration, Bologna was restored to the papacy. However, Bologna soon became actively involved in the Risorgimento movement which culminated in the driving out of the Austrians and the definitive severing of Bologna’s centuries-old ties with the papacy. In 1859, Piedmont was annexed and became part of a unified Italy.

Today, Bologna is often seen as Europe’s cultural capital. It takes pride of place in Italy’s road network and its prestigious University is world-famous. It is an ancient city with a widely respected artistic heritage (the Carracci and Reni Schools originated here) which has promoted various cultural initiatives on an international scale. It is a city which is known for its strong identity, its intercultural exchange programmes, its towers, its gateways, its magnificent palaces and for the joie de vivre of its population.

For more information concerning the history of Bologna, please visit ItalyTravelscape.com.

You may find more information concerning tourism, services, and museums at the website of Bologna's municipality.

How to get to Bologna

By Plane

"Guglielmo Marconi" Airport

There are a 100+ flights to Bologna from four continents, 84 international cities and 13 domestic cities.

The Guglielmo Marconi International Airport is located 7km from the city centre, which is easily reached by:

• Panoramic monorail in less than 7 minutes (7,5 Euros)
• Aerobus in 20 minutes (6 Euros)
• Taxi takes approximately 15 minutes (12-15 Euros)

Guglielmo Marconi's airport website | To & from airport

By Train
Main railway junction in Italy and among the most important in Europe.
STRATEGIC POSITION WITH RESPECT TO THE MAIN ITALIAN CITIES:

• MILAN – 54 daily connections – 1.05 hours
• FLORENCE – 68 daily connections – 35 minutes
• ROME – 48 daily connections – 2.05 hours  
• VENICE – 42 daily connections – 1.25 hours   
• TURIN – 19 daily connections – 2.15 hours

By Car
Bologna is easily accessible from the two major motorways linking the north to the south – the A1 and A14.

Visit Bologna Welcome website to find out more about Bologna

Passport & visa requirements

Every visitor travelling to Italy must have a valid passport and a visa if required. Visas are not required for participants from the USA, Japan, EU, and most other European countries.

If in doubt, please confirm if you need one with your travel agent or Italian consulate. For further information, please visit the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs at http://vistoperitalia.esteri.it/home/en

Liability and insurance

The Organizers do not assume responsibility for injury and/or damage involving people or property during the Summer School. Participants are advised to take out their own personal insurance.

Climate

The weather in Bologna during summer is warm to hot, sunny and pleasant. The average temperatures are 27-33 °C during the day, and 21-27 °C during the evening. Participants are invited to look at the weather forecast before leaving.

Currency

The official currency in Italy is EURO. Foreign currency, traveler’s cheques and Eurocheques can be exchanged at the airport upon arrival, as well as at all the major banks located through Bologna.

Banking & shopping hours

Banks open from: 08:20-13:20 and from 14:35-16:05 Monday to Friday.

Shops open from 09:00 to 12:30 and 16:00 to 19:30 Monday to Saturday and from 09:00-12:30 on Thursday.

Electricity

An adaptor is necessary for electrical appliances in Italy (220 volts AC, 50 cycles).