The lavish porticoed walkways and squares, fine historic buildings, and an interesting medieval cente are the main attractions of Bologna, the old University City.

Bologna Attractions:

• Bologna's offers several beautiful churches, monuments, and civic buildings. Bologna's many porticoed sidewalks are for pleasant walking and window shopping.
• Piazza Maggiore is one of Bologna's central squares, lined with malls. It is really a nice place to sit at an outdoor cafe. The Gothic Basilica of San Petronio, the Palazzo dei Notai, and the Archeological Museum are around the square.
• Piazza del Nettuno is another of Bologna's main squares, next to Piazza Maggiore. It has an flamboyant 16th-century fountain in the center and is surrounded by medieval civic buildings. Go inside the library and admire its beautiful interior.
• Via Clavatura has a number of small, interesting food stalls. It is at the east of the squares.
• Torre degli Asinelli is one of only a few surviving medieval towers. You can climb the steep staircase to the top for a great view of Bologna. Torre degli Asinelli and another leaning tower are in Piazza Porta Ravegnana where seven medieval streets meet.
• You will find an unusual cluster of four interlocking Romanesque churches in Piazza Santo Stefano. The oldest, the church of SS. Vitale e Agricola, has parts of Roman temples and columns.
• The Pinacoteca Nazionale is one of Italy's best galleries with several important works of art.

The University is worth a visit as it is one of Europe's oldest. Palazzo Poggi has two interesting museums. Sometimes you will see student demonstrations or lively graduation celebrations.