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City of Bologna

© Universität Bielefeld

Place of study: Bologna

University of Bologna

Studying at the Alma Mater Studiorum – University of Bologna comes with a wide array of advantages, not least of which is being part of the oldest university in Europe, for instance. Emanating from a law school, established in 1088, it is today academic home to around 86.000 students – at least 3.000 of whom are international students. Throughout the centuries the halls and institutions of the university, which are scattered all over the city, hosted students as renowned and famous as Dante Alighieri, Nicolaus Copernicus and Albrecht Dürer (this list could virtually be expanded ad infinitum). Yet not merely living off its past, the University of Bologna is as attractive to international students as it ever was, with her usually being placed at the very top of Italian universities with regard to Erasmus Incomings. 787 cooperation agreements with universities in Europe are a further testament to the success of the University’s commitment to international academic networking. International rankings regularly place the University of Bologna first among Italy’s universities, when comparing universities of similar magnitude. In the field of history, the University ranks among the top 100 in the world (per QS World University Ranking 2020.

Today the University of Bologna consists of 11 so called “schools” (Scuole) and 33 departments (Dipartimenti). BiBog-students will mostly frequent the school Lettere e Beni Culturali and its department Storia Cultura Civiltà. The department is located near the historical city centre and its imposing squares Piazza Maggiore and Piazza Santo Stefano.

The city of Bologna

With its 380.000 inhabitants, Bologna is the capital of the region Emilia-Romagna – and as mentioned – profoundly defined by its university. Strewn all around the city, the institutions of city and university form a close relationship, a remnant of the early years of the university in the medieval period. Today it presents a unique symbiosis of community and university, that can hardly be found to the same degree anywhere else. Because of this, the city is often nicknamed “la dotta” (“the scholar”). The preserved tombs of the university’s earliest teachers of law are still open to the public in the churches of San Domenico and San Francesco. They are just two of a momentous number of sites that exemplify the history of the University of Bologna.

Bolognas rich history is not limited to its university, however. As one of Italy’s most preeminent cities, it played a significant role in the conflict between the Ghibellines and the Guelphs, as well as in the fight for autonomy versus the Holy Roman Emperor in the 13th century. Later it became the second most important city in the Papal State after Rome. A great number of monasteries, churches and palaces that are still visible today tell the tale of Bolognas rich medieval history.

Concerning modern history, Bologna and its immediate hinterland saw the emergence of fascist local groups (fasci) in the 1920s. These groups prominently intervened in the battle between the landowners and the socialist peasant labour organisations. In the Post-War era, especially in the 1960s and 1970s, the city was often colloquially referred to as the “red city”. The origin of this nickname lies in Bolognas prominent red tiled roofs but later on it started shifting in meaning and mainly signified its city-politics leaning firmly to the left, frequently adopting socialist and communist policies.

Bolognas biggest landmarks (figuratively and literally) are the towers Torre Asinelli and Torre Garisenda. These towers built by two rich medieval merchant families fulfilled defence, living and prestige purposes, and are among the very few still standing today of erstwhile around 150 such towers. Though standing a little lopsided today, one of them can still be climbed up to its very top to get a matchless view of the urban panorama of Bologna. The Piazza Maggiore with its imposing cathedral San Petronio, one of the world’s biggest, is named for the city’s patron saint, and testifies to Bolognas significance in the Papal state. Also bordering the Piazza Maggiore are the Palazzo Re Enzo and Palazzo d’Accursio which harbours the city’s administration. Another popular destination is the Piazza Santo Stefano with its eponymous church, which is the oldest still preserved in the city. Commonly called Sette Chiese, the church is made up of Christian architecture from several centuries. Also, near to the Piazza Maggiore resides the Palazzo dell'Archiginnasio, former main seat of the University of Bologna from the 16th up until the 19th century. Its historical anatomical theatre is one of the oldest still preserved of its kind.

At night, Bologna’s rich bar and restaurant culture is especially popular among the city’s student population. Streets like Via Zamboni, Via del Pratello, Via delle Moline or Via Mascarella host a great number of pubs and bars, that attract big crowds and make for a lively late night atmosphere in and around them. On the culinary spectrum a very popular pastime is the so called “Aperitivo”, a fairly cheap alternative to a more traditional supper, which is offered in the city’s bars. Bologna’s world-famous kitchen can also be experienced all over the city in its manyfold restaurants.  Culinary staples such as Mortadella,Tortellini or Lasagna are on full display and because of this, the city is also sometimes referred to as “la grassa” (“the fatty”). Last but not least, Bologna’s central location in middle to upper Italy offers a convenient starting position for trips to cities like Florence, Milan, Venice, or Rome which can all be reached fairly easily.

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