Bologna
Bologna is the capital city of
Emilia-Romagna in northern Italy. Since ancient times, this has been
Italy's most fertile wheat and dairy region, and it is famous for its
fine food and wine. Europe's oldest university was founded here in 1088
when Bologna was a wealthy, independent commune. In an effort to outdo
each other, every family of note erected a tower in their own honour.
There were once more than 170 of them, but only a handful remain today.
The two towers that rise above the Piazza di Porta Ravegnana are
well-known landmarks. Leaning precariously they have both managed to defy
gravity for hundreds of years. The Garisenda tower is 49 meters (160 feet) high,
but originally it was considerably taller. Unfortunately, the Garisenda
family did not bother much with foundations for their tower - they were
trying to out-do the neighbouring Asinelli family's tower, which is an
astonishing 97 meters (318 feet) high. Garisenda leans 3.2 meters (10 feet) from the
vertical, and as long ago as 1360 the top half was taken down as it was
considered to be dangerous. It is still closed to the public to this day.
The Asinelli tower also leans, although not as much. Completed in 1119,
it has 498 steps that you can climb in order to see the most
breathtaking view of the red-tiled roofs of the city and the verdant
countryside beyond. On a clear day you can see as far as the Adriatic and
the Alps.
The historic centre of Bologna is beautiful and among its highlights is
the church of San Domenico, which has the saint's shrine, made by Nicola
Pisano, and some early sculptures by Michelangelo. The Museo Civico
Archaeologico has one of the best Etruscan collections in Italy.
