Bologna

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This article is about the city in Italy. For the food, see Bologna sausage. For
other uses, see Bologna (disambiguation).
Bologne and Bolognese redirect here. For other uses, see Bologne (disambiguation)
and Bolognese (disambiguation).
Bologna
Comune
Comune di Bologna
A collage of the city, showing Fountain of Neptune, Piazza Maggiore, Basilica of
San Petronio, Two towers (Due Torri), Tagliatelle al rag bolognese (dish of
Bologna origin), and endless city arcades typical for Bologna
A collage of the city, showing Fountain of Neptune, Piazza Maggiore, Basilica of
San Petronio, Two towers (Due Torri), Tagliatelle al rag bolognese (dish of
Bologna origin), and endless city arcades typical for Bologna
Flag of Bologna
Flag Coat of arms of Bologna
Coat of arms
Nickname(s) The Learned One, the Fat One, the Red One
Bologna is located in Italy BolognaBologna
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Location of Bologna in Italy
Coordinates 4430'27?N 1121'5?ECoordinates 4430'27?N 1121'5?E
Country Italy
Region Emilia-Romagna
Province Metropolitan city Bologna (BO)
Government
Mayor Virginio Merola (PD)
Area[1]
Total 140.86 km2 (54.39 sq mi)
Elevation 54 m (177 ft)
Population (30 November 2016)[2]
Total 388,257 (urban)
1,007,644 (metro)
Demonym(s) Bolognesi
Time zone CET (UTC+1)
Summer (DST) CEST (UTC+2)
Postal code 40100
Dialing code 051
Patron saint St. Petronius
Saint day 4 October
Website Official website
Bologna (b?'lo?nj? b?-LOHN-y?; Italian pronunciation [bo'lo??a] (About this sound
listen); Emilian Bulggna, pronounced [bu'l???a]; Latin Bon?nia) is the capital and
largest city of the Emilia-Romagna Region in Northern Italy. It is the seventh most
populous city in Italy, located in the heart of a metropolitan area (officially
recognised by the Italian government as a citt metropolitana) of about one
million.

The first settlements date back to at least 1000 BC. The city has been an urban
centre, first under the Etruscans (VelznaFelsina) and the Celts (Bona), then under
the Romans (Bononia), then again in the Middle Ages, as a free municipality (for
one century it was the fifth largest European city based on population). Home to
the oldest university in the world,[3][4][5][6][7] University of Bologna, founded
in 1088, Bologna hosts thousands of students who enrich the social and cultural
life of the city. Famous for its towers and lengthy porticoes, Bologna has a well-
preserved historical centre (one of the largest in Italy) thanks to a careful
restoration and conservation policy which began at the end of the 1970s, on the
heels of serious damage done by the urban demolition at the end of the 19th century
as well as that caused by wars.[8]

An important cultural and artistic centre, its importance in terms of landmarks can
be attributed to a varied mixture of monuments and architectural examples (medieval
towers, antique buildings, churches, the layout of its historical centre) as well
as works of art which are the result of a first class architectural and artistic
history.[9] Bologna is also an important transportation crossroad for the roads and
trains of Northern Italy, where many important mechanical, electronic and
nutritional industries have their headquarters. According to the most recent data
gathered by the European Regional Economic Growth Index (E-REGI) of 2009, Bologna
is the first Italian city and the 47th European city in terms of its economic
growth rate.[10]

Bologna is home to numerous prestigious cultural, economic and political

institutions as well as one of the most impressive trade fair districts in Europe.
In 2000 it was declared European capital of culture[11] and in 2006, a UNESCO city
of music. The city of Bologna was selected to participate in the Universal
Exposition of Shanghai 2010 together with 45 other cities from around the world.
Bologna is also one of the wealthiest cities in Italy, often ranking as one of the
top cities in terms of quality of life in the country in 2011 it ranked 1st out of
107 Italian cities.[12]

Contents [hide]
1 History
1.1 Middle Ages
1.2 Early modern
1.3 Late modern and contemporary
1.3.1 World War II
1.3.2 Post-war years
2 Geography
2.1 Territory
2.2 Climate
3 Government
4 Main sights
5 Economy
6 Transport
6.1 Bologna Public Transportation Statistics
7 Demographics
8 Education
9 Culture
9.1 Entertainment and performing arts
9.2 Cuisine
10 Sport
11 People
12 Companies
13 International relations
14 See also
15 References
16 Further reading
16.1 Guide books
16.2 Older guides
17 External links
History[edit]
See also Timeline of Bologna
Middle Ages[edit]
Porta Maggiore, one of the twelve medieval city gates of Bologna.

Depiction of a 14th-century fight between the militias of the Guelf and Ghibelline
factions in Bologna, from the Croniche of Giovanni Sercambi of Lucca.
After a long decline, Bologna was reborn in the 5th century under Bishop Petronius.
According to legend, St. Petronius built the church of S. Stefano. After the fall
of Rome, Bologna was a frontier stronghold of the Exarchate of Ravenna in the Po
plain, and was defended by a line of walls which did not enclose most of the
ancient ruined Roman city. In 728, the city was captured by the Lombard king
Liutprand, becoming part of the Lombard Kingdom. The Germanic conquerors formed a
district called addizione longobarda near the complex of S. Stefano. Charlemagne
stayed in this district in 786.

In the 11th century, under the Holy Roman Empire, Bologna began to aspire to being
a free commune, which it was able to do when Matilda of Tuscany died, in 1115, and
the following year the city obtained many judicial and economic concessions from
Emperor Henry V. Bologna joined the Lombard League against Frederick Barbarossa in
1164 which ended with the Peace of Constance in 1183; after which, the city began
to expand rapidly (this is the period in which its famous towers were built) and it
became one of the main commercial trade centres thanks to a system of canals that
allowed large ships to come and go.

Traditionally said to be founded in 1088, the University of Bologna is widely

considered to be the first university.[6][7] The university originated as an
international centre of study of medieval Roman law under major glossators,
including Irnerius. It numbered Dante, Boccaccio and Petrarca among its students.
[13] The medical school is especially famous.[14]

In the 12th century, the city's families engaged in continual internecine